Hello!

My name is Melissa. I help you define and achieve your dreams.

How?

The most important thing I do is ask questions and listen. I ask the questions that promote self-reflection and self-awareness. I ask the questions that challenge you to broaden your perspective and reframe your assumptions. 

Together, we investigate your goals, values, and actions. We look for patterns, themes, and connections. I support you as you make sense of your journey--past, present, and future. I want you to understand yourself so that you can make decisions and take actions that are aligned with who you are and what you really want.  

For me, success means helping you to understand and communicate your value through the power of connection, reflection, and vulnerability.

Why?

I loved college, but I also remember how overwhelmed I felt both as a high school senior in the midst of the college application process and later as a college student struggling to identify my path. 

I want to help ease your stress at these critical decision-points of life and cultivate your confidence.  I want you to feel empowered because you put in the work. You clarified your goals and values. You focused on what you can control. You looked deeply inward and you took advantage of the opportunities available. You are ready to take positive action.

What makes me different?

My approach to working with students is holistic and developmental. My goal is to connect with students on a personal level and empower them to make their own decisions. I strive to be inclusive and welcoming of all students. I have worked with and enjoy a wide variety of student populations, including first-generation, low-income, LGBTQA+, neurodiverse, and international students. My degrees include classes in child and adolescent development, college student development, special education, counseling and interview skills, career counseling, and multicultural counseling. I have worked with high school and college students in a wide variety of settings, and each of these experiences adds extra depth to my knowledge and skills.

College Access and Admissions:
- Admissions Reader for Princeton University
- Interviewer for Brown University
- AmeriCorps College Guide at a public, urban high school in Rhode Island
- College Advisor for an educational nonprofit in the Bronx
- Tutor/Counselor for Upward Bound

Supporting Current College Students (Rutgers University):
- Assistant Dean for Transfer Students
- Academic Advising
- Curriculum developer and instructor for Rutgers Future Scholars mentoring program
- Curriculum developer and instructor for the Students in Transition Seminar (transition course for transfer students)
- Curriculum developer for RU-1st (transition course for first-generation students)
- Academic Coach for Student Stupport Services
- Intern for Career Services
- Intern for Paul Robeson Cultural Center

What else?

My other passion since childhood has been understanding ancient cultures. By the end of elementary school, my dream was to be able to decipher ancient Mayan hieroglyphics. My dream was realized at Brown University. There, I completed a double concentration in Anthropology and Old World Art & Archaeology. I took many courses on the art, history, and archaeology of ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, and the Maya. I even studied ancient Mayan glyphs for two semesters! I also worked on two archaeological excavations: one in northern Portugal and one in Providence, RI. 

When I'm not working, I'm either creating educational and fun experiences for my daughters, acting in theater and film, painting murals, listening to podcasts (probably comedy or historical), or teaching myself how to play the dulcimer. I hope to meet you soon!

EDUCATION:
Ed.M. in College Student Affairs, Rutgers University - New Brunswick
B.A. in Anthropology and Old World Art & Archaeology, Brown University