Our Team

Megan Mason has worked in both higher education and high school settings. Early in her career, she spent several years working as an international recruiter and program liaison for international student exchange programs. This work experience inspired her to pursue her master’s degree in school counseling from Fairfield University.

Megan now has 7 years of experience working with students in grades 9 through 12 in the areas of college and career planning, mental health counseling and academic advising. She is also a coach for the Special Olympics Unified Sports Program at the high school where she works. She is experienced in working with students with disabilities as well as first-generation college-bound students.

Megan has won the Excellence in Education award for her district and was previously selected as “Rookie of the Year” for her school. She is a member of the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) and the Connecticut School Counseling Association (CSCA). She holds Data Specialist and Bullying Prevention Specialist certifications from ASCA.

In addition to her master’s degree in school counseling, Megan holds a master’s degree from Columbia University in anthropology, a bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross in history and anthropology, and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship by the U.S. State Department in 2005.

Megan lives in Connecticut with her husband, two daughters and two dogs. She enjoys hiking, gardening and reading in her spare time.

Ali Klingler, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), is a school counselor at a public high school located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. She has worked at nationally ranked high schools in the north and northwest suburbs of Chicago assisting hundreds of students and families from different backgrounds with post-secondary plans and the college admission process. Prior to her work as a school counselor, Ali spent time as a community mental health outreach counselor.

Ali has a master's degree from Loyola University Chicago in School and Community Counseling and a master's degree in Educational Leadership from American College of Education. Ali graduated from the University of Dayton with her B.A. in Math and Science Education and a minor in Spanish.  

Ali has worked in-depth with students from the day they begin high school until graduation, building strong relationships with students and their families. She carefully guides the students and their families through various post-secondary planning tasks such as career exploration and college list creation. She is well-versed in the intricacies of the college application process, standardized testing, financial aid, scholarship exploration, NCAA eligibility, and the college admissions and enrollment process.

Ali has led college essay and application workshops, presented to families about post-secondary planning, and created a schoolwide curriculum and group for first-generation collegebound students. Ali created and actively manages a schoolwide weekly college planning program focused on intensive personalized college counseling for upperclassmen. Ali is passionate about demystifying the college and financial aid process for families and she values being the person to help her students navigate college admissions. Ali is a member of the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC), Directors of Counseling and Student Services of Suburban Chicago (DOCSSSC), American School Counselor Association (ASCA), and Illinois School Counselor Association (ISCA).

Valerie holds a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Rowan University and has 10 years of post-secondary planning experience with college-bound high school students. She is skilled at helping students identify colleges and institutions of higher learning that fit their unique needs and interests. She has extensive knowledge of the college application process and has run dozens of successful workshops over the years. She is prepared to assist students with resume building, college essay creation, and FAFSA questions as well.

Valerie also has significant experience working with prospective NCAA Division I and Division II college athletes. She has helped many students create athletic resumes, facilitate coach contact, and get registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Her former students have gone on to participate in varsity sports at Princeton University (Rowing), Hofstra (Baseball), Drexel (Rowing), Auburn (Track & Field), Jacksonville (Rowing), Rutgers University (Rowing), Wagner (Football), Franklin & Marshall (DI wrestling), Duquesne (Rowing) and more.

As a parent of two with one child in college at Louisiana State University, and a current high school senior, Valerie offers first-hand insight on what to plan for and what to expect when preparing students for their next level of education.

Annie has been working with teenagers and young adults for the past eleven years, the last four of which as a high school counselor in Cincinnati, Ohio. She graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Telecommunications, and from Xavier University with her Master’s degree in School Counseling. She currently works with a diverse group of students at Saint Ursula Academy, an all-girls Catholic college-preparatory high school.

As a professional school and college counselor, Annie works with students to provide individualized academic planning and support, promote social and emotional well-being, and facilitate college and career mapping. She has earned American School Counseling Association Specialist Certifications in Anxiety & Stress Management, Career Development, and Mental Health.

Annie is passionate about helping students identify strengths, interests, values, and priorities to help them develop robust lists of colleges that “fit.” Working with students and families to navigate their individual college search and application processes from freshman year through graduation is one of the most rewarding aspects of her career.

In her free time, Annie enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, taking her dog on long walks in the woods, and listening to leadership and true crime podcasts.

Stacey has over 20 years of experience across numerous specializations within the School and College Counseling communities.  Through her work as a School Counselor at a nationally ranked school in suburban Philadelphia, she has successfully assisted thousands of students in meeting their post-high school goals.  In addition to college, academic, and career counseling, Stacey leads her school's local scholarship program and represents her district on various College and Career Readiness Advisory Boards.  She also chairs her district's DEI subcommittee on Student Success and recently helped to launch a program to prepare underrepresented students for higher levels of postsecondary success .  Stacey serves as a Scholarship Application Reader for numerous Philadelphia-area organizations and for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Stacey is truly passionate about college and career planning and enjoys working closely with students and their families regarding all aspects of the process.  She has particular expertise in the areas of college major & career exploration, NCAA eligibility, IEP/504 postsecondary transition, and maximizing scholarship opportunities.

Stacey holds a B.A. from the Pennsylvania State University (Psychology/Anthropology), an M.S. from Villanova University (Counseling & Human Relations), and an Advanced College Advising Certificate from Teachers College, Columbia University.  She is an active member of the American School Counselor Association, the National Association of College Admission Counseling, and the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling (PACAC).  Stacey currently serves on PACAC's Executive Board, as well as the Secondary School Counselor, Nominating & Governance, and Communications Committees, while also co-chairing the association's Leadership Development Program.  Stacey lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and three kids.

Nicole has been working as a school counselor for the last eight years at a public high school on Long Island. Growing up on Long Island herself, Nicole is used to the demanding, competitive, and fast paced environment of New York.

Nicole works with her students from 9th grade through 12th grade. She finds it extremely rewarding being able to watch her students grow and assist them in navigating these important four years.

Her favorite part of being a school counselor is creating connections with students and their families. She breaks down the college admissions process for students, from start to finish, so the process is not overwhelming. She collaborates closely with families to ensure the students find their “perfect fit”.  Nicole has been through the college transfer process herself and realizes how crucial it is to find a college that compliments students’ values.

Nicole has had students get accepted into very prestigious programs including Ivy Leagues such as Cornell University, Princeton University and Yale University.

Nicole graduated with her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Stony Brook and her master’s degree in school counseling from Long Island University. Every year, she returns back to Long Island University to speak to graduate students about the school counseling profession. Nicole also teaches courses online for educators on Effective Communication with Families and Creating Effective Mentoring Programs.

Nicole currently resides in a town on Long Island which ensures that she is always near a beach and the best pizza around!

Maciej is a high school counselor with 18 years of experience in a large public high school in Chicago. He helps his approximately 400 students in identifying, planning, and attaining individual goals consistent to their aptitudes, needs, abilities, and interests. He has worked with thousands of students on their college search and admission application process, as well as aiding in extensive scholarship searches and maneuvering the financial aid process. As a former College Advisor at a Community College, he advised students concerning their academic plans and progress, academic schedule, choice of major, and other academic activities and career goals.

Maciej graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in History/Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has a double Master’s degree in School Counseling and School Leadership from Concordia University.  He is fluent in Polish.

Maciej’s personal experiences have a strong influence on his work with families. Having arrived in the United States at the age of seventeen, he is very passionate about educating all students regarding their post-secondary options. He strongly believes in the importance of developing a well thought out plan to explore all post-secondary options before choosing the plan best for each student and family.

Dana has been a school counselor helping students and families for 17 years.  In her current role, she works with students and parents as they navigate social and emotional challenges in school. However, her passion is to help guide students in career pathways.  She has many hours of career counseling training and is dedicated to helping students learn more about themselves and narrow down the wide world of work.

I graduated from Texas A & M University Texarkana with a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. I received my Bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville TX

AWARDS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Texas OnCourse Academy - College and Career Modules

• American School Counseling Association - Career Development Specialist

• American School Counseling Association - Mental Health Specialist

• Grief Sensitive School

• Grief Specialist

• Why Try Coordinator

• QPR Certified

Jen has a wide variety of experience ranging from working in a high school in northern New Jersey to moving north to a high school on the coast of southern Maine. She has been working as a high school counselor for 18 years and has been a Director of High School Counseling for 5 years. Guiding students through the college admissions process became a passion of hers early on in her career. Creating programming to fit the needs of her students as well as attending many local, regional and national conferences has her up to date on the latest trends of college admissions.

Jen attended the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut for her for undergraduate degree in Special Education where she played Women's Division One tennis. She completed her master's degree in Counseling Services at Rider University. She continued on to get her College Counseling Certificate from UCLA. Jen currently lives in York, Maine where she enjoys going to the beach, paddle boarding and mountain biking in the summer and skis as much as she can to survive the New England winters.

Georgia has over 13 years of school counseling experience. As a former teacher, she understands the whole student in a myriad of ways. She has worked at public high schools and charter schools with wide variety of ethnicities, socioeconomic status, and academic levels. Georgia uses the lenses of academic, social/emotional, and the college/career domains in her work to allow her to know the student on a deeper level and in turn, give them the best knowledge to reach their goals.

Georgia has a bachelor’s degree in music education with a minor in psychology from Bowling Green State University (Ohio) and a master’s degree in school counseling from University of Dayton (Ohio).  She also has furthered her education at Laverne University and Lindenwood University.

During her time as a school counselor, GeorgiaI has advised 4,500+ students about college and career pathways.  She also has four years of English language student experience with whom are native speakers in languages including French, Haitian, Creole, Guatemalan, Spanish, American Sign Language, and more.  

It brings Georgia great joy to work with students that have the desire and drive to go to college. As a school counselor and college and academic advisor, she walks students through the college application process step-by-step so that is feels seamless, and the student and their family feels knowledgeable and pleased with the final outcome.  

Georgia is also an expert in assisting families through the financial aid process, navigating through the FAFSA, award letters, and more.  She has worked with students and families through the college application process to colleges across the country, Ivy League, public and private schools, as well as NCAA, NAIA, and Juco affiliated colleges for athletes.

Leanne has been helping students achieve their post-secondary goals since becoming a school counselor in 2012. After completing her graduate studies at Villanova University, she has guided hundreds of students and their families through the college planning and application process at a nationally recognized public high school in the greater Philadelphia area. She is the leader of her department and helped facilitate many programs for her students and families on topics such as college essay writing, standardized testing, the college application process, financial aid and more.

Leanne discovered her passion for working with high school students as an undergraduate ambassador for the admissions department at her alma mater, Temple University. In fact, it was remembering how much she loved connecting with students and discussing their hopes and dreams for the future that inspired her to leave a promising career in advertising to help others in a more personal and meaningful way.

Some unique aspects of Leanne’s training include her experience working at an International Baccalaureate high school where students participate in a rigorous academic program and have the ability to earn the prestigious IB Diploma. On top of providing academic advising and college guidance within the context of the IB Diploma Programme, she has also attended IB training at the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University.

Leanne has served as a 504 Coordinator for her school, guiding many students and families through the process of applying for standardized testing accommodations and identifying colleges that serve the unique needs of a student.

Amelia Manning has extensive career and college counseling experience, having worked as the career and college counselor at a large public high school in the Chicago suburbs. In her role, Amelia worked closely with students and families from freshman year through graduation to help them with the post-secondary planning process, starting with career planning and college exploration all the way through final college decision-making and enrollment. She also led a team of school counselors in developing career and college curriculum for each grade level.

Prior to earning her Master’s in education with a concentration in school counseling from DePaul University, Amelia worked in the private sector in healthcare marketing and advertising. During this time, Amelia was a founding member of the strategic planning practice at an agency focused on technology and digital marketing. Amelia graduated with her B.S. in advertising from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Amelia’s personal experiences have a strong influence on her work with families. Through her experience of transferring from one four-year university to another, she came to know the importance of college fit and the steps needed to transfer and graduate on time. As the daughter of an immigrant to the United States, Amelia is passionate about helping students who may be the first in their families to pursue higher education in the United States. As a career changer, she believes strongly in the value of early and thorough career exploration so that students feel fulfilled by their future careers while achieving financial stability.

Sharon is a college counselor at a high school in Waukegan, IL, where she guides families and students through the entire college application and selection process. Through one-on-one meetings, family presentations and weekly seminars, Sharon educates students and families on the college application process from start to finish.  

With a background as an English teacher, Sharon enjoys working closely with her students on their personal essays for college and scholarship applications.  Knowing finances are a large influence in the college decision, Sharon assists families through the FAFSA and CSS Profile, and helps them understand award letters. She also provides academic counseling for students in all grade levels and helps select an appropriate course load for every student.  

Sharon has over eight years of experience in education throughout the Chicagoland region. While pursuing her graduate degree in education at Loyola University Chicago, Sharon taught middle school English and social studies at a school in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago. Throughout her five years there, she assisted students and families in the high school selection and application process. 

Prior to her work in Chicago, Sharon completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota. After graduating, she spent two years volunteering at an orphanage, Nuestros Pequenos Hermaños, in Guatemala. There she taught English, founded a young women's empowerment program and solidified her Spanish. Sharon lives in Chicago and enjoys spending time outside, reading books and going to yoga classes.

Mary Allen has been working with high school students for 7 years as they embark on the college search, list-building and application process.  She leads advising at Crosby Scholars, a community based organization in North Carolina, serving thousands of students and their families representing the full socio-economic and academic spectrum.

Mary Allen earned her certificate in Independent Educational Consulting from the University of California at Irvine and is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA),  National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC).  She also was selected to be in the 2022 cohort of the SACAC Leads professional development cohort.

Mary Allen especially enjoys the college list development and helping students in their essay creation and editing phases.  She is a volunteer advisor with College Essay Guy’s Matchlighter Program as well.

Originally from Mississippi, Mary Allen earned a Bachelor’s degree from Emory University in Atlanta, GA and a Master’s degree from Duke University in Durham, NC. Mary Allen lives in Salisbury, NC with her husband and three children. In her free time, she enjoys running, exploring, reading non-fiction, cheering for college athletics and all things Italian food.

Sara Strickland has spent over a decade working with students and families toward high school graduation and college matriculation. Her years of experience range from the high school classroom to college orientation offices, all of which contribute to a greater understanding of students’ college-going and academic needs.

During her time as a College Counselor in a private California high school, Sara was a member of the Western and National Associations for College Admission Counseling (WACAC and NACAC, respectively). After her move to the Rocky Mountains, Sara joined RMACAC and continued in NACAC where she most recently earned a Professional Certificate in College Admission Counseling for Emerging Leaders. Sara also holds a College Admissions Specialist certificate from the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) and a College and Career Readiness Credential from Southern Utah University.

In addition to her current role as a College Counselor, Sara coordinates Advanced Placement Exams and College Entrance Exams for her high school students alongside moderating the National Honor Society.

Tesha McMillon has been in the education industry for more than 18 years. Currently, Tesha is the Assistant Director of Financial Aid/Default Manager for an H.B.C.U. in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is also the owner of McMillon and Associates and a financial literacy business she calls “The H.E.L.P.,” an acronym for Higher Education Literacy Provider.

Under the H.E.L.P., Tesha provides higher education literacy to federal loan borrowers related to FAFSA, student loan repayment, forgiveness, cancellation, discharge, and default. Title IV funding (student loans) is her area of expertise. She provides literacy through counseling, consulting, and advising federal loan borrowers on their student loan repayment options. Tesha specializes in student loan repayment options, forgiveness, consolidation, cancellation, discharge, and default. For new borrowers, she offers financial aid literacy and advising, which focuses primarily on FAFSA completion, the awarding of aid, grants, and scholarships. She partners and collaborates with different organizations and industries and assists their clientele with the issues surrounding their student loan indebtedness.

Her business “McMillon & Associates Consulting firm” focuses on assisting institutions of higher learning or outside stakeholders who offer products or services related to higher education. Tesha assists with innovation, performance improvement, strategy implementation, and operating efficiency on Title IV compliance and enrollment management. She offers financial aid consulting and strategy development, operational assessments, product development and testing, and assistance with default management. Her goal is to help student loan borrowers successfully repay their student loans.

Tesha has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration w/minor in Government contracts and Acquisitions and will complete her Master’s in Public Administration in December 2021, graduating from both programs’ summa cum laude. Both degrees are from Strayer University. Tesha lives in Clayton, NC, with her five-year-old son. She enjoys reading, giving back to the community, and spending time with her son in her spare time.

Alison (“Ali”) Worland has been tutoring SATs for years, and will stop at nothing to ensure that each and every one of her students receives a uniquely catered, highly-effective, personalized learning experience.  Ali’s passion for helping students began when she reflected upon how valuable her own tutors were to her as she navigated through her own high school education.  Central to Ali’s mission of success is to change the way her students view the SAT: rather than being a high-pressure test on which they must do well (or else!), Ali reframes the test as an exciting opportunity for them to impress colleges with what their potential is.  In addition to Ali’s personable, organized, creative, and illuminating teaching style, one of her primary aims is to develop her students’ confidence through upbeat motivation and positive reinforcement.  She keeps students on track outside of sessions with additional practice assignments and mock tests.  Ali is an athlete (think twice before challenging her to a swimming race!), former educator, big sister, and a proud University of North Carolina Tarheel!

Rich Goldman is an Ivy League-educated (University of Pennsylvania…go Quakers!) SAT and ACT tutor who's been teaching the strategies and methods on how to crack these tests for decades. In the past, Rich - who goes by the professional moniker "Mr. SAT" -  trained with and taught for both Kaplan and Princeton Review, and has taught everything from 1-on-1 tutoring to multi-student classes. However, after years of affiliation with those premiere companies, Rich developed his own ideas about how to best teach the tips, tricks and methods to students of ALL levels. Contrary to the methodology of numerous other entities, Rich's tried and proven approach is to dive right into the tests, teaching the tips, tricks and methods as the students get immediate, direct and invaluable hands-on practice with each section.  Rich's style is to engage his students through interactivity, positivity, motivation and humor, and he has the rare ability to boil down difficult concepts into easily digestible morsels.  Rich is also a happy husband and proud father of two delightful children, and he loves nature, adventure travel, scuba diving and people of all walks of life!

Becky Martin is a high school counselor in southeastern Minnesota. With almost 20 years of high school counseling experience, she has helped thousands of students and families navigate the college planning process from start to finish.

Becky received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, her Master’s degree in Counseling and Psychological Services from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and her School Counseling Licensure credentials at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

In her first decade of high school counseling, she worked with a diverse population of mostly first generation college students, helping students and families navigate each step of the college search, selection and admission process. She was named Southeastern Minnesota School Counselor of the Year in 2009 and was instrumental in securing the University of Minnesota’s Ramp Up to Readiness Grant for Triton High School.

Since 2014, she has served the students and families of Byron High School. As Lead High School Counselor, she plays a crucial role in ensuring students have the knowledge and resources needed to become college, career, and life ready. She also offers numerous parent presentations to ensure families understand the key role they play in supporting their student’s post secondary journeys. With 80% of her graduates pursuing post secondary education, she devotes much of her time to individual meetings with students, exploring their interests, identifying their strengths, helping with college and major exploration, college applications, scholarships, and recommendations. She also strives to incorporate authentic learning opportunities for all students to explore their passions and identify their life’s path beyond high school.

Becky is excited to be part of Pathways Planning & Insights where she can utilize her expertise to assist students and families in navigating the post secondary planning process.

Larissa graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana in 2000 with a degree in Elementary Education.  While at IU, she was a member of the National Dean’s List and the U.S. Achievement Academy.  She was an All-American Scholar and a recipient of the National Collegiate Education Award.  Larissa started her career in education teaching 6th grade, soon returning to IU to obtain a Master’s Degree in School Counseling.  She began counseling at the middle school level for many years and later moved to Floyd Central High School in Southern Indiana where she is the Counseling Department Coach.  Larissa provides college and career counseling, mental health counseling, and guidance lessons for grades 9-12.  She oversees the Mentor Mii Program, is a member of the District’s Bullying Policy Team, plans the school’s College and Career Fair,  is a member of the FC Cabinet, is certified in Mental Health First Aid, and is the sponsor for the school's National Honor Society.  

While remaining active in the educational setting, Larissa has also found time to be successful as an entrepreneur starting her own online boutique and has gained experience as a social media manager for both a large school district and a pediatrician's office.  

Larissa and her husband are the proud parents of three daughters who are involved in many extracurricular activities.  She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.  Larissa is dedicated to meet the needs of all those around her and is excited to be a part of the PP&I team, looking forward to the opportunity to advance professionally in leadership and education.

Erin Hack is a high school counselor at a large public high school in the western suburbs of Chicago.  She has over 13 years of cross-functional expertise in high school counseling, higher education leadership, and college career counseling environments.

Erin graduated from Butler University with a B.S. in telecommunications and a minor in journalism and earned a M.A. in School Counseling from Concordia University.  Erin spent seven years in the business world in the areas of corporate training and recruiting where she was recognized for successfully spearheading new programs and building crucial business relationships in a highly competitive environment to exceed corporate goals.

Before becoming a high school counselor, Erin worked in higher education as a college career counselor and Director of Career Services.  It was during this time that she earned her master’s degree in school counseling as she sought to use her talents and passion for helping high school age students.

In addition to her school counseling duties at Batavia High School, Erin is the AP and SAT testing coordinator, the sponsor for the Open Circle club, and a member of the School Leadership Team.  She serves on the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) School Counselor Advisory Council as a regional representative for the Illinois School Counseling Association (ISCA).

Erin writes articles on how to help families reduce their college costs and has been published in Collegiate Parent.

Corey Bernard is a Junior/Senior counselor at a public high school in the west suburbs of Chicago. During her 10 year counseling career, Corey has assisted numerous students with their post-secondary plans and the college admissions process. She loves nothing more than helping students find their best-fit pathway that helps foster their passions.

Corey graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and a concentration in Public Relations. She began her career working as a PR specialist at a mid-size Chiagoland firm helping to manage campaigns for some of the world’s most iconic food and beverage brands.

Corey enjoyed helping her clients find solutions and new opportunities; however, she learned that her true calling was to carry her skills over to education and assist young students instead. Corey then earned her Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Lewis University and has since found fulfillment in helping her students discover their true potential academically and personally as they work towards their post-secondary goals.

In addition to her school counseling duties, Corey oversees scholarship opportunities for students. She is her school’s main contact for NCAA student eligibility and she also coordinates SAT test prep opportunities. She has been a member of the School Leadership Team, and serves as a sponsor for Student Council.

Corey enjoys new adventures and movie nights with her family. She resides in Geneva, Illinois with her husband and her two children.

Julian Treves

Julian Treves specializes in helping families with college funding and financial aid planning.  The higher education landscape is very complex and often confuses even sophisticated parents.  Julian works with them by providing information, guidance and money-saving tips and tools so they can chart their destination with foresight and knowledge.  An investment advisor with Creative Financial Designs, Julian is also focused on 529 plans (an underrated investment tool) helping clients build college lists which include information on costs, filing FAFSA and CSS Profile submissions, and helping families in the home stretch: understanding the financial offers from college, potentially appealing them, and then building a tax-optimized funding plan for the college years.  Any investment advice offered via Creative Financial Designs.  Pathways clients working with Julian can choose either between the financial aid modules or a per hour fee.

Julian lives in Pennsylvania with his beautiful wife and two pre-college-age children, and enjoys music and all sports with 11 people on each team.  MBA, Series 63, 65, Fiduciary.  Degrees from Indiana University and Columbia University.

Mark Salisbury is a nationally-renowned author, speaker, educator, and champion of college price transparency as a primary way to improve the college admissions process.  His work has been highlighted by the New York Times, Forbes, NBC, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and NPR.  In addition, he is a regular guest on a myriad of podcasts addressing college admissions and the higher education industry.  Mark earned his PhD from the University of Iowa and holds additional degrees from the University of Minnesota and the University of Kansas.  Before launching the TuitionFit project (tuitionfit.org) to empower the public by crowdsource college price transparency themselves, he was an Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and Director of Institutional Research at Augustana College in Illinois, and a Board member for the Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium.

Mark's experience in higher education spans a quarter century at both large and small colleges and universities.  He began his career in college athletics, coaching both men's and women's soccer at NCAA div. I and II universities.  After a decade in college athletics, during a period of intense growth and change in women's sports, Mark stepped away from coaching to focus on admissions and financial aid.  Shortly thereafter, he accepted a research assistantship on a national, six-year study of college students based at the University of Iowa. This launched a new phase of Mark's career as a higher education scholar, consultant, writer, and speaker.

Mark continues to write and present to audiences across the higher education landscape.  His work with TuitionFit is featured in three best-selling books that take you behind the scenes of what’s going on in the college admissions financial aid system: Jeff Selingo’s “Who Gets In and Why”, Ron Lieber’s “The Price You Pay for College”, and Rick Clark and Brennan Barnard's "The Truth about College Admissions." These ground-breaking best sellers are each a must read for parents with college bound children. He is also a contributor to the College Guidance Network as their expert on all things money when it comes to college planning and admissions.

In addition to his work in higher education, Mark has been a professional musician, a stand-up comedian, and an improv theater performer, even conducting workshops across the country for educators on how to apply the principles of improvisation to improve teaching and learning.

Mark lives in Davenport, Iowa, with his wife, two sons, and five cats (MEOW!).

Iwona Kulpa is our Outreach Director for the Polish-American college market. An immigrant from Poland herself, Iwona obtained her degree in Finance and Management at Northeastern Illinois University and worked in financial aid for 15 years, including serving as a Financial Aid Advisor and Auditor at Colorado Technical University.  Over that time, she has helped thousands of students secure the financial aid they needed so they could pursue their education.

Iwona has a passion for helping others and believes there is nothing more rewarding than adding value to someone’s life. She is married, has 3 boys, and loves working with young adults and helping them to choose the right path for their future.  She believes that everyone’s well-being is about finding the right mental and physical balance in their lives.  Her favorite quote is “Believe in your ability to be successful in the things you have a passion for. These are God-given gifts for you to use.” -Catherine Pulsifer