I come to Core College Consulting with over 20 years of experience on both sides of the desk: college admissions at a small liberal arts college and college counseling at a public, urban, academic magnet high school. 

As a first-generation college student from a small rural town in Texas, I didn’t have much help applying to college. I never even thought to apply to more than one college out of high school. I didn’t even know what the FAFSA was until my junior year in college. My college journey was such a meandering path (transferring two times, following my friends…don’t do that) that I often joke I had to do everything wrong so I could eventually help students do it right. Despite this, I’m proud that I was able to graduate in four years. 

I hold a bachelor's degree in psychology from Sam Houston State University and a masters of business administration from the University of North Texas. I started my professional experience in corporate recruiting but really found my niche when I joined the admissions team at Texas Lutheran University, a small liberal arts college in Seguin, TX. In my six years at TLU, I was ultimately promoted to director of admissions, but when my role became more administrative in nature (budgets and board meetings), I realized I missed the personal interactions with students I once enjoyed on a daily basis as well as the challenge and fulfillment that comes from working with students to find their best college fit.

Always on the hunt for a good breakfast taco, I found a match in Austin when I became the college counselor at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA). LASA is a uniquely diverse institution with a student population hailing from every corner of Austin and ranging from low socio-economic backgrounds to middle and high income families. Working with a bright, adventurous, talented group of students for fifteen years is a wonderful reminder of why I decided to go into education and college access: it’s more than a job; I feel it’s my calling. Identifying the needs of each student to help them find the right college fit has been critical in my work. I look forward to bringing this same brand of personal attention to the students and families I work with through Core College Consulting. 

In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my dog Molly, consuming true crime documentaries and podcasts, watching K-dramas, classic movies as well as The Office for the umpteenth time, reading, and traveling. I’m also known to recite random movie quotes from obscure 80s and 90s movies if the opportunity arises.