Mai Moore and Yumi Ndhlovu: Navigating College Admissions as a Woman of Color

In today's episode, I sit down with McKenzie, Signet Education's exceptional Community and Operations Manager. Our conversation delves into the impact of her Co-Op program at Northeastern on her college experience and her career journey. BIOMcKenzie joined Signet as the Community Manager in early 2022. She works closely with Andrea, Signet’s Director of Operations, to plan both fun and educational events for the Signet community and assists in ensuring a smooth workflow for all staff. Prior to her time at Signet, McKenzie received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Northeastern University, where she also minored in Psychology. Outside of work, McKenzie loves to dance! She takes classes both in Boston and at her hometown studio and still tries to perform whenever she can. She loves meeting new dogs, spending time with her extended family, and playing the New York Times mini games.Access free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

In today's episode, I sit down with Elaine Taylor-Klaus and Diane Dempster from Impact Parents to discuss the intricacies of modern parenting. We delve into the challenges of setting expectations, raising 'complex kids,' and the evolving roles parents play in their children's lives. Join us as we uncover the secrets to a more fulfilling and less anxiety-driven approach to parenting.BIOElaine Taylor-Klaus and Diane Dempster co-founded ImpactParents.com in 2011 because traditional parenting advice wasn’t working for their complex kids and they found no training or coaching available designed specifically to support them as parents of complex kids. Now internationally recognized as leading parent educators in the world, they use a coach-approach to help parents reduce the stress of raising children, teens, and young adults with ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, LD, and more. The creators of Sanity School® behavior training, they’re authors of many books including Parenting ADHD Now: Easy Intervention Strategies to Empower Kids with ADHD and The Essential Guide to Raising Complex Kids with ADHD, Anxiety, and More.Access free resource here: www.impactparents.com/forceAccess free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

In today's episode, I sit down with Jay Rosner to explore the realm of standardized testing, discuss fairness in education, and dissect the recent legal battles over affirmative action in college admissions.BIOJay Rosner is an admission testing and test-prep expert based in the San Francisco Bay area. He is the Executive Director of The Princeton Review Foundation, a small nonprofit that provides heavily subsidized, high-quality test-prep programs for organizations serving low- income, underrepresented minority students. His multifaceted work focuses upon fairness in admissions tests, and he speaks and writes about testing as an activist, advocate, expert witness, consultant, researcher, organizer and lapsed lawyer. Jay testified as an expert witness on the LSAT on behalf of minority student intervenors at the trial of the landmark Grutter affirmative action case. More recently, he organized the intervention by individual minority students in SFFA v. Harvard, and had been an ongoing participant in the process leading to the historic 2020 decision by the University of California system to become test free in undergraduate admissions. His research contribution is his non- technical analysis of how test question selection methods subjectively and consistently produce dramatic test score disparities. Jay’s current focus is reducing the discriminatory impacts primarily of the LSAT, and secondarily, of the MCAT and SAT, in order to enhance integration and fair representation. Follow Jay on LinkedInAccess free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

In this episode, I talk about what to do now that early college applications are behind us. Uncover essential post-early-admission steps and strategic insights to navigate your next move. Don't miss this expert advice on the college admissions journey!Become a part of our Circle community.Access free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

In today's episode, I sit down with Chris LaTempa, a seasoned college counseling expert with a wealth of knowledge in the intricate world of college athletic recruiting. If you have a child considering college athletics, this episode is a MUST LISTEN!BioChris began his current role as Director of College Counseling at Moorestown Friends School this past summer after 8 years as the Associate Director of College Counseling at Malvern Preparatory School. Prior to Malvern, he served as a college counselor at Salesianum School in Wilmington, DE and as a Senior Assistant Director of Admission at Lafayette College, where he managed the territories of Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, and Long Island. In addition to his counseling roles, Chris has designed and taught courses on public speaking and social entrepreneurship and coached the freshman baseball teams at Malvern and Salesianum as well as Lafayette’s NCAA softball team. He is an adjunct faculty member of Villanova University’s College Counseling Certificate Program, through which he teaches the Counseling College-Bound Athletes course. Chris is a member of both NACAC and PACAC, through which he has served on several Conference Planning Committees, the Government Relations Committee, Admission Practices Committee, and the Secondary School Counselors Committee, which he chaired from 2015-2019. Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Lafayette College and a Masters of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. Follow Chris on Linkedin.Access free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

In today's episode, I sit down with educational consultant Jamie Smith to explore transfer admissions. Join us as we unravel the opportunities and challenges for non-traditional students, from transfers to homeschoolers. Get ready for insights into the evolving higher education landscape and its impact on admissions. Don't miss this conversation about fostering diversity on campuses and empowering students on their unique educational paths.BioJaime Smith, M.A., MS.Ed., is a Certified Educational Planner with 25 years of experience in the field of education. After many years of teaching English at the middle, high school, and college levels, Jaime turned to online education and founded a virtual K-12 supplementary education program, Online G3, where she continues to teach gifted and twice-exceptional homeschooled students. As a college advisor, Jaime specializes in transfer admissions, application essays, homeschoolers, neurodiverse learners, and other non-traditional applicants. In 2023, she completed a Post-Master's Certificate in Transfer Leadership and Practice at the University of North Georgia in collaboration with the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students and is a fervent advocate for transfer support.Website: https://jsmithiec.com/Access free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

In this episode, Annie Tulkin, the founder of Accessible College, and I discuss the world of college transition support for students with disabilities. Don't miss this insightful conversation that sheds light on the path to college success for all students.BioAnnie Tulkin is the Founder and Director of Accessible College, as well as an educator, author and public speaker. She is an expert in the area of college preparation and transition for students with physical disabilities and health conditions. She supports students and families across the country. Annie was the Associate Director of the Academic Resource Center at Georgetown University for nearly 6 years. In that position she supported undergraduate, graduate, and medical students with physical disabilities and health conditions and oversaw academic support services for the entire student body. Annie has worked in the disability field for her entire professional career including positions as a Regional Disability Coordinator for Humanitas, Inc. working on the Job Corps disability support contract for The Department of Labor, and as a Project Specialist with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) where she worked with both the National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP) and University Centers of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Technical Assistance projects. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education from DePaul University, a Masters in Special Education from The University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Certificate in Health Coaching from Georgetown University. Annie was a Peace Corps Volunteer (Mongolia, ‘03-’05) and a Fulbright Fellow (Mongolia, ‘07-’08). She resides in Silver Spring, MD with her husband and daughter.  Website: www.accessiblecollege.com Facebook: @AccessibleCollege Twitter: @AcssCollegeInstagram: AccessibleCollegeConnect with me on LinkedIn and become a part of our Circle community.Access free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

Join me as we dive deep into the college admissions process and explore the three essential phases that set students up for success. We'll uncover the importance of building a solid foundation, strategic preparation, and crafting a compelling narrative. Discover how an intentional approach can transform the college journey into a rewarding experience. Life Satisfaction WheelConnect with me on LinkedIn and become a part of our Circle community.Access free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

In today's episode, I sit down with Educational Crisis Manager, Hannah Stotland. She works with students to recover their academic records and reapply to programs after major incidents, like medical leaves, ethics code violations, or family emergencies. Her message is clear: there is hope, but it will take your hard work. BioHanna Stotland flunked out of high school, got a G.E.D., and went on to graduate from Harvard College and Harvard Law School. Since 1999, she has been an independent admissions consultant specializing in educational crisis management, including Title IX, substance abuse and mental illness. Her recent professional presentations include conferences of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, the Higher Education Consultants Association, ten regional ACACs, and Families Advocating for Campus Equality. She has also been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, CBS News, PBS, and WNYC. Follow Hanna on LinkedIn or visit her website at www.hannastotland.comAccess free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.

In today's episode, Holly and I dive deep into the world of applying to graduate school. Whether you're contemplating a Ph.D. or an academic-focused master's program, these essential insights will empower you to craft a compelling application and embark on an enriching academic journey.BioHolly has tutored for over a decade and specializes in undergraduate and graduate admissions and is also an expert coach and test prep tutor. She received her BA in Russian from Bowdoin College and her PhD in Comparative Literature and American Studies from Indiana University. She has worked as a tenure track professor at the University of Maine, serving as a MA/PhD advisor and on the graduate admissions committee. Before and during her time with Signet, she has helped over 100 students navigate application essays, program selection, and testing. She loves acting and comedy. Her familiarity with executive function support, standardized testing, writing, and admissions makes her a great holistic advisor to both parents and students alike. She is funny, patient, and meticulously organized.How to Get Into College (Circle Community): https://how-to-get-into-college.circle.so/homeAccess free resources and learn more about Sheila and her team at Signet Education at signeteducation.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaakbar/.