Explore every episode of the podcast The Knowledge Entrepreneurs Show

Katrina M. Watson is the creator of The Confident Counselor Method, where she empowers school counselors to navigate their daily challenges with confidence, enabling them to better support students in reaching their academic and personal goals. With over 16 years of experience in advising culturally diverse and inclusive high school and college students, Katrina specializes in best-fit university guidance, career counseling, academic advising, financial resources, and social-emotional well-being. Originally from Los Angeles, California, Katrina earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling, with a focus on Student Development in Higher Education, from California State University, Long Beach. In 2013, she embarked on an international counseling career, working with students from over 100 nationalities. She currently serves as an International Application Admissions Reader for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and is an active member of the Council of International Schools (CIS), International Association for College Admissions & Counseling (IACAC), and International School Counselor Association (ISCA). Katrina has visited numerous colleges and universities worldwide, gaining insights that have helped students secure spots at top 100-ranked universities. She also created a Udemy course titled Simplifying the College Application Process from A-Z, designed to make the college admissions journey more accessible. In her free time, Katrina publishes new episodes of The Well Rounded Counselor Podcast and shares expert advice on her YouTube channel, Well Rounded Admissions. She recently published the book The Well Rounded Counselor: Considerations for International College Counselors, further solidifying her commitment to supporting the next generation of counselors and students.

Beth Ritter-Guth is the Associate Dean of Online Learning & Educational Technology at Northampton Community College and a seasoned adjunct in the English department at DeSales University. Specializing in AI, VR, AR, ethical hacking, and digital humanities, Beth is an advocate for the ethical use of generative AI. A prominent voice in Educause’s AI Community of Practice and the Horizon Report, she has earned numerous awards for her innovative work. Featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Wired, and USA Today, Beth is dedicated to advancing educational technology and preparing for a future where code is a key tool for peace.

Edwige Simon has worked in the field of education for over 20 years. She is the Director of Online Learning and Instructional Technology at the International Center for Language Studies and the founding editor of FLTMAG, a magazine dedicated to technology integration in the language classroom. Prior to joining ICLS, Edwige ran a fully online graduate certificate program in language teaching with technology. Her research focuses on world language teacher professional development and the preparation of educators to teach in online environments.

Carissa (Handrinos) Godvin has been an academic tutor and consultant since 2006. She has a BA in both English and psychology and a MA in English, focusing on rhetoric and composition. Carissa strives to build upon each student's strengths while teaching techniques to enrich any weaknesses s/he may have. She works to build confident, independent learners and thinkers of all ages and has experience in K-12, post-secondary, and adult education. Carissa specializes in: ACT/SAT/GRE prep, AP Exam Prep, College Essays & Planning, ELA, Math (through Pre-Calc), Professional Editing, Test Taking Strategies, Writing Skills and Development, and more!

Alyssa Petrone, founder of Top Tier Test Prep, has dedicated over 35,000 hours to tutoring and coaching more than 1,600 students, guiding them to success at top-tier universities like Harvard, MIT, and Yale. With dual Master’s degrees in Social Work and International Affairs, Alyssa brings a strong clinical and cross-cultural communication background to her work. Her expertise in the Reading, English, and Writing sections of standardized tests is unmatched, but it’s her understanding of performance psychology that sets her apart, empowering students to reach their potential. Many return for her guidance on graduate exams, essays, and applications

Dr. Hopewell is the Dean of Online Education and Provost at The Master’s University. After graduating from The Master’s College, he and his wife Angela moved to Flagstaff, AZ to attend Northern Arizona University, where he completed a Master of Education in Educational Technology and a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, while teaching elementary school and courses at NAU. Upon completing Graduate school, Dr. Hopewell was hired to join the Colorado State University system in designing, building, and launching CSU – Global Campus, the first legislatively defined, independent online state university. Dr. Hopewell later spent 9 years at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD as chair of the Master of Science in Strategic Leadership program.

Steven D'Agustino, with over a decade of experience as the Director of Online Learning at Fordham University, is dedicated to enhancing the quality and accessibility of online education for diverse learners. He collaborates with academic leaders to shape the university's online learning strategy, guided by emerging trends and best practices. A QM-certified professional, Steven oversees the design and development of online courses, ensuring top standards in pedagogy and technology. He has successfully led the creation of over 40 online undergraduate courses for non-traditional learners and has published extensively on online learning best practices.

Rolin Moe is an education administrator with over a decade of experience in advancing equity and justice in distance and digital education. He has collaborated with diverse learning institutions, both formal and non-formal, to conceptualize and implement programs that enhance learning and teaching. Rolin's expertise lies in leading educational innovation and fostering inclusive learning environments.

Alan Wesley Kinsey is an experienced Instructional Design Specialist with a strong background in K12 and higher education. Skilled in lesson planning, educational technology, training delivery, and professional development, he is proficient in using Canvas LMS, Office365, Google, and Articulate Rise. Alan is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Instructional Design and Technology from The University of Memphis.

Dr. Samuel Jay is a seasoned professional in higher education administration with over a decade of experience in online learning, teaching enhancements, strategic planning, and data-driven decision-making. His expertise lies in creating inclusive educational environments and driving educational innovation. With an academic background in Rhetoric and Digital Media Studies, combined with entrepreneurial experience in marketing and brand management, Dr. Jay integrates technology and champions digital literacy in modern learning.

Brian Duggan is the Executive Director of Top Score, overseeing all operations to ensure the mission of "Deep Learning Through Deep Relationships" is fulfilled. Prior to this role, he was Head of School at Fusion Academy Alexandria and served as a public school teacher, administrator, and leadership development coach through Teach For America. A first-generation college graduate, Brian holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science from the University of Oregon and a Master’s in Teaching from Hamline University. Outside of work, he enjoys family time, traveling, and chasing after his young son, Felix.

Torie graduated cum laude from Bryn Mawr College in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and a minor in Museum Studies. They began peer tutoring in STEM subjects as a high school sophomore and have not spent more than a month away from math and science tutoring since then. Torie is passionate about the intersection of STEM and artistic subjects and deconstructing the "math person" vs "English person" dichotomy. They specialize in tutoring students with learning differences.

Ned Johnson is the president and founder of PrepMatters. A professional tutor-geek since 1993, Mr. Johnson has devoted in excess of 35,000 hours in one-on-one test prep for nearly the entire alphabet of tests. His experience includes work with all ages and abilities in preparation for SSAT and ISEE to ACT and SAT to GMAT, GRE and LSAT.

Achmad Yudi Wahyudin is an Assistant Professor of English Instruction and Educational Technology with eight years of experience. He specializes in Curriculum Design, Instructional Media, and English Teaching Assessment. Currently the Vice Rector of Academic Affairs at Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia, he has also held roles as Vice Dean and Vice Rector of Global Engagement.

Daniel Koffler, BS, is the President of New Frontiers, an executive functioning coaching organization that offers academic, social, transitional, and career support to individuals of all ages and abilities. New Frontiers empowers clients to maximize their potential and develop into independent, self-advocating members of society.

Inspired by his family's special education business, Daniel founded New Frontiers to address the gap he noticed in young people transitioning to post-high school experiences without adequate preparation. He holds a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from George Washington University and is a member of YPO. Daniel is married with three children, including twins.

Whitney Armstrong graduated early from her university experience after planning ahead and completing a full semester’s worth of college credits while in high school. She played varsity soccer and was the starting goalkeeper for her high school team all four years. A bit of a socialite, she also worked two jobs, participated in many extracurricular activities, including marching band and student council, and served as the student body president her senior year.

During her time in college she was the peer academic advisor for her residence hall and spent her summers running her own business and supporting other students as they grew theirs. Her love and commitment for coaching began there and has grown ever since. She is a firm believer that life is meant to be spent embracing the things that bring us joy and living in gratitude for all that we have. In support of her desire to continually learn, Whitney also is getting her massage therapy certification. In her free time Whitney spends time with her husband, Allan, traveling as often as possible, growing her own understanding of life, the healing arts, and writing.

Jason Bock is an instructional design and technology enthusiast specializing in higher education. As the founder of StuPath, he develops innovative software solutions for education, including Simuprof—a GenAI Tutor built on Microsoft Azure and MongoDB, designed to support students without providing direct answers. Simuprof is LLM-agnostic, integrating with tools like ChatGPT to help create and manage courses tailored to instructors' teaching styles.

In January, Jason joined AMDA to combine his passion for online education and performing arts, helping build fully online programs in acting, musical theatre, and more. He is also completing his doctorate in instructional design and technology at the University of West Florida, focusing on student engagement in online learning.

Jason Breitkopf is an education professional with extensive experience in curriculum development and student success. He has held key roles at Ivy West Educational Services, Sylvan Learning Center, Chyten Educational Services, and Livius Tutoring, including Director of Education and Director of Academics. As the former Owner/Operator of Tutoring Club of Danvers, Jason specialized in private and small-group tutoring focused on test prep. He holds a Bachelor's in History from Brandeis University, an M.F.A. in Directing from CalArts, and an M.Ed. in Arts & Learning from Endicott College.

Dr. Jeremy Bond is a career educator, innovative leader, and e-learning technology professional with a background in instructional and information technology dating back to 1997. A three-time graduate of Central Michigan University, he currently serves as the Director of Online Learning at Alliant International University and holds adjunct faculty appointments at CMU and Alliant. Dr. Bond's teaching portfolio includes subjects such as information literacy, business communication, computer information systems, educational technology, and even the history of the Mafia. Outside of his professional life, he is a devoted husband, father, and passionate numismatist.

Jai Flicker, founder of LifeWorks Learning Center, is a master educator, thought leader, and lecturer. His work with youth began in 1999 through The Homework Club, where he developed a unique tutoring approach that combines academic support with personal coaching and mentoring, focusing on the whole person. In 2004, he founded LifeWorks to further this integrated vision of education. Over the past two decades, Jai has refined the LifeWorks approach, drawing from mindfulness, positive psychology, and attachment theory. A certified Mindfulness in Education Teacher and Qi Gong instructor, he has also lectured internationally. Jai holds a B.A. in Philosophy from UC San Diego and lives in Lagunitas, CA, with his wife, Yea, and their two children, Aden and Amara.

Michael Mityok, holding a BA in English Literature and a BEd in Secondary Education from UBC, is a BCTF-certified teacher with over 25 years of experience. In 2014, he founded ACE Education Group, a private academy offering reading, writing classes, and elite university admissions consulting, now serving over 300 students. Before ACE, Michael spent five years at A+ Academic Writing Workshops, helping over 1,000 students from Taiwan and China gain admission to top universities worldwide. Recently, he has focused on advocating for speech and debate training, particularly for underserved communities.

Dr. Kizito Mukuni, with extensive experience as an instructional designer at public universities, holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Technology from Virginia Tech. As the Director of Online Education at FSU, he oversees online programs, support, and services for faculty and students, ensuring they align with FSU's mission. Dr. Mukuni is committed to expanding current offerings, identifying gaps, and proposing new initiatives. His role also focuses on implementing instructional technology to enhance the online learning experience.

Dr. Derk Riechers is a dynamic leader in higher education, blending expertise in academic affairs with a passion for the transformative power of AI. His leadership is marked by transparency, collaboration, and a commitment to student success. At the community college level, he fosters innovation and growth, preparing students and faculty for future challenges.

An expert in AI, Dr. Riechers integrates technology into education to enhance learning, streamline processes, and align with workforce needs. Notably, he led his institution to rank #1 in South Carolina for distance education and online college excellence. His AI-focused initiatives and statewide presentations highlight the importance of embracing technology in education.

Bobby Nicholson is a dedicated student development professional with over twelve years of experience in mentorship, leadership, organization building, student life, event planning, recruitment, and motivation. His career is highlighted by numerous achievements, including winning the 2010 International Student Excellence Award from Southwestern and being named one of the 25 members of Tennessee's USA Today All-USA Academic Team. Bobby has held key leadership roles, such as President of the student body at Pellissippi State and Resident Assistant of the Year at Maryville College. He played a pivotal role in building and leading two successful student organizations and led the #16 ranked team in the Southwestern Leadership Program. As a certified non-profit professional, Bobby's specialties include ACT/College Prep, Algebra tutoring, student services, event planning, public speaking, and mentorship.

Sanjay Fuloria brings 24 years of experience in both academia and the corporate sector. He has expertise in marketing, sales, market research, analytics, business research, team management, and the application of various analytics and machine learning tools. Currently, he serves as the Professor and Director at the Center for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) at IFHE University, Hyderabad.

Raju Ganesh Sunder is a seasoned professional with over 34 years of experience in the education and industry sectors. He is currently the Director of the Center for Distance and Online Education at Sharda University, Greater Noida. His career is marked by significant leadership roles, including Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Management at Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Director at the Symbiosis School of Digital and Online Learning at Symbiosis International University, and Director of the Centre for Distance and Online Education at Bharati Vidyapeeth University. Raju has a strong academic background, teaching Human Resource Management, Organizational Behavior, and Operations Management at both the graduate (MBA) and undergraduate (BBA) levels. His expertise and business acumen have driven numerous achievements in distance and online education.

Aakash is a founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wyndly. As CEO, Aakash oversees every aspect of Wyndly, including marketing, engineering, customer support, and medical operations. He's led Wyndly through early conception, to first product, fundraising, and established the culture. He continues to lead the company's overall strategy.

Aakash is a regular speaker on topics including healthcare and telehealth, patient-centered care, startups, and product management. He regularly spends time interacting with Wyndly patients. As a Wyndly patient and founder, he’s dedicated himself to fixing people’s allergies with personalized treatment and phenomenal care.

Gabrielle Cohn is the founder of a private educational consulting firm that celebrates the unique learning abilities of each student while helping them reach standardized classroom goals. With over a decade of experience, Gabrielle works one-on-one with clients aged 4 to 18, creating individualized education programs and specialized curricula. Her expertise lies in supporting children with learning disabilities, behavioral challenges, and special needs, using a blend of behavioral therapy, experiential learning, and Socratic tutoring. Gabrielle also leads tutor trainings and teaching workshops, while offering a range of services including general tutoring, writing and research skill development, homeschooling support, and test prep guidance.

Andrew Kletzien is a seasoned math and science tutor specializing in skill-building and conceptual understanding. Since 2010, he has tutored one-on-one and in groups for ACT, SAT, GRE, K-12 math, social sciences, and executive functioning. Andrew focuses on helping students understand the problems that skills and concepts solve and their relationships within mathematical and scientific toolboxes. He emphasizes directed, independent study and experimentation. With a BA in Political Science and Philosophy from Loyola University Chicago and an MA in Social Science from the University of Chicago, Andrew's expertise also extends to political theory and moral philosophy.

Dr. Joseph Krupnick, with 15 years of experience, specializes in tutoring students with academic and learning difficulties, including ADHD, learning differences, and motivation challenges. He offers individualized academic tutoring, educational therapy, and consulting for middle-school, high school, and college students in the Chicago area.

Dr. Krupnick focuses on executive functioning, language processing, attention, and subject matter to help students develop compensatory skills and build intellectual self-confidence. He collaborates with students, teachers, and parents to create personalized learning programs.

Trained at Harvard University (BA, MA, PhD), Dr. Krupnick has worked with over 500 students, fostering academic growth through trust and intrinsic motivation.

Susan Powers is the founder of Woodlands Test Prep, with nearly 30 years of experience in test preparation. Starting her career with Kaplan SAT and GMAT courses, Susan's passion for student success led her to establish her own tutoring service in 2011. An expert in the Digital SAT, she has meticulously analyzed practice questions, created custom quizzes, and developed a comprehensive curriculum. A panelist at the National Test Prep Association 2023 Winter Conference and a board member, Susan is dedicated to advancing test prep strategies and supporting tutors globally.

After starting MuchSmarter as a solo tutoring practice in 2004, Steve has spent the better part of the last two decades teaching students how to make the most of their minds and play their best game on standardized tests and in every academic subject.

Vraj Parikh is a sophomore at UNC, majoring in Health Policy and Management, and Statistics and Analytics. He is passionate about improving healthcare systems and applying his analytical skills to epidemiology, health actuarial science, and risk management. Vraj is also the founder of VA Tutors, a nonprofit tutoring organization that has connected over 100 tutors with more than 150 K-12 students worldwide. VA Tutors offers K-12 tutoring, SAT and ACT preparation, and college counseling, striving to provide personalized care and dedication to every student's academic journey. Vraj aims to leverage his skills and experiences to drive positive change in the healthcare and education sectors.

Carrolee Moore has over 15 years of experience helping businesses, from Fortune 500 giants to Ivy League universities, find their voice and amplify it across digital platforms. Now focusing on small and medium-sized businesses, Carrolee champions her "anti-social content strategy," which decouples social media from the broader content marketing ecosystem to ensure impactful, multi-channel engagement.

Carrolee's diverse background in sales, project management, and communications has equipped her with a unique ability to identify and highlight the distinctive value in every business. Passionate about transforming content into a powerful tool for standing out in the digital age, Carrolee is dedicated to crafting unforgettable campaigns that resonate and inspire.

Eric Gutman is a seasoned scientist and education expert. Starting his career as a NASA research assistant at 17, he became a research scholar at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and earned an Applied Physics degree from Columbia University. After working in geophysics and earning a graduate degree in Physics from the University of Chicago, Eric specialized in relativity and cosmology. A former U.S. Navy serviceman, he later joined Kaplan Test Prep, becoming a top-rated instructor, and founded The Best Test Prep. Eric is also a Mensa member and Columbia University alumni interviewer.

Dr. Ashley Storman is the Founder and Educational Consultant of The Storman Group, LLC. As a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant, Scholar, Practitioner, Educator, and Author, she brings over 15 years of experience in higher education, human resources, and DEI initiatives. Dr. Storman excels in consulting, recruitment, retention, leadership development, mentorship programs, affinity groups, teaching, and strategic collaboration. Her work focuses on implementing programs and strategies that support marginalized communities, educate allies, and foster inclusive environments.

A published author, Dr. Storman’s research emphasizes the leadership development of African American women aspiring to academic leadership. She is a fellow of the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative Leadership Program and has served on the boards of the American Advertising Federation STL, the National Association for Student Personnel Administrators Center for Women, and Rides N' School Supply. Currently, she is a board member for Habitat for Humanity St. Louis, a committee member for Girls Inc., and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Identifying as a Christian, wife, and mother, Dr. Storman is committed to her personal and professional communities.

Meeraj Patel is a highly experienced private tutor with over 13 years of experience and more than 10,000 hours of dedicated tutoring. In the competitive arena of college admissions and scholarships, where a solid test score is often crucial, Meeraj’s guiding philosophy of “work smart, achieve more” has provided countless students with an effective solution to balancing rigorous test prep with their busy schedules.

Meeraj’s approach ensures that every lesson is streamlined, high-yield, and fully personalized, avoiding one-size-fits-all methodologies, bloated syllabi, and wasted time. By focusing solely on content and strategy, and eschewing the vague tips, tricks, and questionable gimmicks common in the test prep industry, he helps students achieve their best scores efficiently. With diligent effort and smart study practices, many of his students reach their goals with just one session per week over 2-3 months.

Samer Seraj is the founder of Existsforall Academy, an online math school specializing in the Ontario math curriculum, pre-IB and International Baccalaureate curricula, AP Calculus and pre-AP, and SAT preparation for middle and high school students. From 2011 to 2019, Samer advanced in the e-learning industry from a grader and teaching assistant to an instructor, curriculum developer, and direct personnel manager of over five hundred educators. He now channels this extensive experience into building his academy. In his spare time, Samer is active in community leadership with organizations like the Canadian Mathematical Society, the University of Waterloo, and the University of Toronto.

Amanda Morin is a neurodivergent neurodiversity activist, an award-winning author of five books, early childhood specialist, and nationally known speaker, deeply committed to fostering accessible and inclusive environments for neurodivergent individuals. She leverages her expertise in learning and child development, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), special education, advocacy, and mental health to distill complex data into easily digestible information for parents, educators, and employers who want to advance the mission of creating inclusive content, programs, and strategies to make the world accessible to all.

Catalina Ghercioiu, a seasoned Mathematician and Mathematics Tutor based in Atlanta, Georgia. With over 20 years of experience, Catalina has taught and tutored IB Diploma High Level Math, SAT Prep, AP Calculus, IGSCE Prep, and college-level courses across five different educational systems. Catalina's extensive expertise allows her to teach the magic of Mathematics beyond any curriculum.

Matt brings over a decade of expertise in test preparation and college admissions counseling. He has developed SAT/ACT curricula, authored instructional materials, and conducted teacher training seminars. His guidance has helped hundreds of students achieve their dream school acceptances and secure significant scholarship funds. Matt is known for blending clarity and precision in his writing with a profound understanding of the educational landscape.

Josh Goreczny, Director of Education and Technology at Pittsburgh Prep, brings a unique drive to his role. After a rural Pennsylvania upbringing, his passion for education led him to Pittsburgh. From colleges to at-risk interventions, Josh has helped students grow throughout his career. Now, he leverages his expertise in test prep to empower students at Pittsburgh Prep.

Ann Pham is a dedicated educator with a passion for teaching that spans nearly 20 years. She has had the privilege of teaching in a variety of settings, from bustling classrooms to intimate in-home sessions and the dynamic virtual realm. Ann has connected with students from diverse backgrounds and unique academic needs, including those with special needs.

Her teaching philosophy centers on empowering students to become independent learners by honing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Ann is committed to fostering a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom, encouraging young minds to think critically about the world around them and find creative ways to make it better.

Christine Lawlor-King exemplifies an educator who is both pioneering innovation and entrepreneurship learning in the classroom, and a visionary in her own right. She created her urban district’s award-winning K-12 STEM program and has been the catalyst for implementing invention education curriculum in many schools, on a national and international level. As a Yale University’s Master STEM Teacher, she introduced teachers to project-based learning centered around vector-borne diseases. She was the Education Lead on the team who created the National Invention Convention program, which serves thousands of teachers and students internationally. She was the Executive Director of the largest Invention Convention program in the world. Her current consulting roles with Lemelson-MIT, STEMisED, and The Lemelson Foundation has her inspiring more in-school and out of school educators to teach invention. Christine has mentored program leaders, young inventors, educators, administrators, and inspired corporate professionals to get involved with invention education. Her efforts earned her STEMconnector’s Community Trailblazer Award.

Megan Padden is the owner and operator of O.W.L. Educational Services, an education company she built from the ground up. With over fifteen years of experience, she has taught a diverse range of subjects, including English, French, Spanish, math, science, and social studies, to students of all ages. Megan has also successfully run numerous SAT test prep programs both in-person and online.

It took just a little over a month of tutoring before Sam discovered he had a passion for helping students. Starting at a big box tutoring company, he began searching for ways to improve upon mainstream prep techniques and would go on to develop a unique methodology for approaching the tests. Years later, and now with his own company, that spirit of continual improvement characterizes the Franklin Yard philosophy.

Brian has a background in school psychology and education, with a career dedicated to training educators on the use of educational technologies. He has trained thousands of teachers on using assistive technology and mind mapping software to enhance classroom learning. Now teaching full-time in higher education, Brian recognizes the growing need for faculty to utilize mind mapping tools to manage the demands of teaching, research, and administration efficiently. Leveraging his expertise, Brian collaborates with computer and software companies to assist in launching new products in the USA and supports educational technology companies in product development and marketing.

Terrill is passionate about helping businesses scale by streamlining processes, using innovative technology and partnering with the right software service provider. 

She has over 15 years of experience mostly in the Financial Services and IT industries, where her roles have always been related to bringing about change and introducing new processes, software, or products into a business. She has specific experience in the sectors of Banking, Insurance, Asset Management, Human Resources, Digital Marketplaces, Outsourcing, and Creating and Redesigning Services and Software systems. 

While busy with her MBA in June 2019, she started Success By Design. started by providing Business and Software Consulting focusing on process automation. In 2021, Success By Design expanded into providing Software Services for Small and Medium-sized Businesses as well.

Past and present clients include Law Firms, Financial Service Providers, Coaches, Business Consultants, Digital Marketplaces, Software Developers, IT infrastructure, Equipment Distributors, HR, Training Providers, Data Mining, and Medical Device distribution.

Michelle McAnaney founded The College Spy® with this mission: Help students identify colleges that are a good fit for them and get accepted. 

Michelle is an expert in college admissions and a leader in her field. She has over 20 years of experience as an educator, counselor and consultant, assisting students in making smart choices to reach their full potential. She is current on the latest trends in college admissions. 

Her extensive admissions knowledge is coupled with firsthand experience with the colleges and universities your student will be considering. She tells students and families that the best way to get to know a college is to visit and she holds herself to the same standard. She visits approximately 40 colleges each year, attending information sessions and open houses, taking tours and meeting with admissions officers. 

Michelle’s single greatest strength is her genuine concern for the wellbeing of her students. She encourages each one to explore new courses and activities, get involved in areas of interest, stretch their boundaries and expand their comfort zones. She encourages and guides students to take ownership of their college journey. Michelle believes that students should take the initiative in planning their futures. Students working with Michelle will attend interviews even when they are optional, think about themselves in new ways, dig deep to write revealing and powerful applications essays and ask the right people for letters of recommendation. Her encouragement is always supportive and understanding, with an eye on admissions outcomes, but also an awareness that these are growth experiences that will help students develop as young adults about to embark on one of the most important phases of their lives. 

Michelle regularly presents to groups of parents and other professionals. She shares information through frequent webinars, The College Spy Podcast, blogging and various social media platforms. Learn more about Michelle by following The College Spy on Twitter or Facebook.

Dr. Steven Witt is currently serving as the Director of the Graduate Education Program in the School of Education and as a Full Education Professor at Concordia University Wisconsin. In this role, Dr. Witt serves as the primary liaison among the graduate education faculty in his program, graduate students, and the school of education. He is responsible for ensuring quality and effective programing while ensuring compliance with state and national regulations across fields of study. Over the decades, Dr. Witt also established and maintained a multi-million-dollar budget through a continuous improvement framework.

Recognized for his excellence in teaching, Dr. Witt was ranked in the top ten teaching faculty at CUW in 2022-23. He has held the position of a full, tenured professor since 2017.

Prior to his current role, Dr. Witt held positions as an Assistant Professor of Education in California and Executive Director of several private schools, showcasing a diverse and impactful career spanning academia and school administration.

Beyond his professional roles, Dr. Witt is deeply committed to transforming education and closing the achievement gap. In 2013, at the recommendation of community leaders, Dr. Witt founded the non-profit organization, EdAchieve, dedicated to advancing educational opportunities for all students. Dr. Witt is now a board member. Furthermore, Dr. Witt provides leadership support to the Closing the Achievement Gap initiative, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to equity and excellence in education.

Anne O'Bryant is a seasoned educator with 50 years of experience, spanning roles as a secondary teacher and administrator. After retiring, she became an outside evaluator consultant for the Kearsarge School District. Throughout her career, Anne has made significant contributions to education, including hosting her own educational TV show and teaching social studies and TV media. She founded the "Chelmsford 24 Hour Relay Challenge," a successful event for 25 years that has raised thousands of dollars for community groups and promoted drug and alcohol-free fun among youth. Anne also established internships for her media students with AVID Technology, pioneering digital editing and special effects. Her dedication earned her a nomination to the "Chelmsford Alumni Association" Hall of Fame. Currently, Anne is venturing into children's literature with her upcoming book, "The Secret Key," set for release on Amazon in July 2024, with plans for sequels and an educational video game.