In elementary school, I watched an interview with a young scholar who, while accompanying his archaeologist parents on digs as a child, was becoming a leading expert on Maya writing. The idea of deciphering this beautiful script was fascinating, and I wanted to do the same. 

Years later, as a student at Brown University concentrating in anthropology and archaeology, I stood in the house of that very scholar, along with dozens of archaeologists and graduate students. While I didn't become a Maya epigrapher, I am forever grateful for what my education taught me: how to pursue curiosity seriously, and how to look for patterns beneath the surface.

That training shapes how I work with students today. Before we draft, we investigate. We look for themes, underlying values, and moments that feel meaningful. 

How I Got Here

After Brown, I worked as a college advisor for two nonprofit organizations, helping students apply to college, providing essay feedback, and leading workshops for students and families. I learned that I love teaching, but I loved working one-on-one with students even more.

I went on to earn a master's degree in College Student Affairs from Rutgers University, where I studied teaching, counseling, and higher education systems. I later served as an Assistant Dean for Transfer Students, advising students and redesigning curriculum, work that deepened my understanding of how institutions think and what students actually need to navigate them well. 

For three years, I read undergraduate applications at Princeton University, reviewing approximately 2,000 applications in total. That experience gave me a clear, firsthand understanding of what makes writing authentic and compelling to an admissions reader.

Today, I work with a limited number of students each year in a structured, reflection-first process. My role is not to rewrite essays. It is to help students think more clearly about who they are and make choices that reflect that honestly. 

What I Hope Students Take Away

Beyond an application they are proud of, I hope students leave this process better able to understand how they make decisions and how to communicate with confidence. Those skills matter long after the essays are submitted.

Outside of Work

I live in New Jersey with my husband, two daughters, and dog. Outside of coaching, I paint murals and am teaching myself to play the mountain dulcimer. I serve on the board of a local community theater where I also act, direct, and do scenic design.