Sylvia brings over 15 years of higher education experience, including as a faculty member at two New Jersey State universities and a Director of Experiential Learning. She is passionate about helping students find educational pathways that honor their individual goals, interests, and strengths.

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Sylvia holds a BA in English from Syracuse University, a Master of Public Health from Hunter College at the City University of New York, and an Independent College Consultant Certificate from the University of California, Irvine. She is also a member of IECA.

Sara is a dedicated college access professional with experience in admissions, advising, and postsecondary planning. She has supported hundreds of students through application review, enrollment, individualized mentorship, and long-term college and career pathway exploration.

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Sara holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Philander Smith College and a Master of Science in Leadership from Cabrini University. She is passionate about helping students pursue pathways aligned with their strengths, goals, and potential while feeling supported and empowered.

Nathaniel Hayes was born and raised on Chicago’s Southside. His work has taken him across U.S. and international communities in support of students and families. He is passionate about fostering skill development and helping young people pursue meaningful goals through empowerment and social-emotional support. 

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Nathaniel earned his bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University and his master’s degree from the Clinton School of Public Service. He is also the founder of The Freedom Center for Arts and Education, a community center dedicated to advancing education and literacy through the fine arts.

Kimberly Norfork has over a decade of experience in college access, admissions, and college counseling. Her work has included individualized advising, program development, and building school and district partnerships that expand college opportunity, particularly for rural students and historically underrepresented communities.

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Kimberly holds a bachelor’s degree from Austin Peay State University, a master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Middle Tennessee State University, and is currently a doctoral candidate in Learning and Leadership at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She also previously served as Director of College Counseling at North Cobb Christian School.

Melvin brings a warm, hands-on approach to student coaching that ensures every student feels genuinely supported and understood. As a College Board Fellow with credentials from NYU and Boston University, his work focuses on creating programs and systems that expand access to education and career opportunities for first-generation, low-income students.

As a first-generation college graduate from an immigrant family, Dyana is deeply committed to expanding access and opportunity for students who are navigating higher education systems for the first time. Dyana holds a Master of Science in School Counseling with a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential from California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Dr Madeleine Ryan holds a Doctor of Education from Northeastern University. With over a decade of experience in college admissions and counseling, she has worked at several higher education institutions supporting students across 32 states, as well as U.S. citizens and permanent residents living abroad. She is a first-generation graduate from Massachusets.

Tamara Baptiste is a dynamic college admissions coach, speaker, author, and engineer determined to increase the presence of women in STEM careers. She combines her engineering background from Cornell with her multiple certifications in college counseling and organizational leadership to mentor young men and women onto high impact paths.

Tracy has extensive experience guiding students through the complexities of the financial aid process, helping them understand their options and make informed decisions about funding their education. She is particularly passionate about supporting first-generation students, military-connected students, and families who may be unfamiliar with the college onboarding process.

Michelle Gbelama-Okore is a seasoned Youth Development Specialist and Professional Tennis Coach with over 18 years of experience working with young athletes. She is the Founder and Executive Director of WE Lead Sports Inc, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable tennis, soccer, leadership development, and college readiness programs to youth in Mercer County, NJ.

Zhané is currently an Admissions Specialist at Rivet School, a nonprofit that supports adult learners in completing accelerated degree programs to close equity gaps in higher education. She previously held roles as Assistant Dean of Admissions and Assistant Director of Enrollment, where she led student retention efforts and implemented data-informed strategies to improve educational outcomes.

Glenn E. Bell is a strong advocate for diversity in higher education, and his career has spanned many disciplines. Born and raised in Northern New Jersey, he has been a frequent lecturer on issues related to the African American community, including Negro Leagues Baseball, Blacks in the Military, and Black activist thought. Glenn received a Bachelor of English degree at Hampton University, and a Master of Education degree from Northeastern University.