Nicole and Katherine first met while working with academically ambitious students from under-resourced communities at Chicago Scholars. Their shared expertise and desire to help each student achieve their potential by finding their “best fit” college motivated them to create
College Here I Come. Students will have the opportunity to work with both Nicole and Katherine as they move through the phases of self-exploration, college research, and application development and submission.
Katherine is a graduate of Oberlin College with a B.A. in Economics and Art History and has an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management in Marketing and Finance. She came to college counseling through her involvement with Chicago Scholars, first as a Board member and then, after receiving her Certificate of College Counseling from UCLA, as a college counselor.
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For the past seven years, she has worked to help Chicago area youth find their “best fit” college. Katherine helps students identify potential schools that will provide opportunities for personal growth, intellectual exploration, and skill development. She also teaches students how to shape their most meaningful experiences and attributes into richly detailed, polished admissions essays. She is happy to meet students at any point on their journey, whether they are just beginning the college search process or they are ready to draft essays.
When Katherine is not helping students, she is often on the beach with her two golden retrievers, or biking on the lakefront. She loves to cook, ski, read and go on adventures.
Nicole earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University. After working in various marketing and art directing roles in the corporate world, Nicole took her creative talents to start her design and art consulting business. She found she had a particular knack for advising her corporate and private clients in discovering their own brand and personal style. But what she loved most was helping clients authentically and meaningfully present themselves in a public-facing way.
When a friend asked if Nicole could lend her talents to Chicago Scholars, Nicole jumped onboard as a Mentor. Nicole’s skills in guiding clients translated beautifully to her cohort of scholars. Within a year, Nicole was nominated by her cohort and named Mentor Of The Year. Nicole’s passion project to help students put their best foot forward in the college admissions process was now a new career path. Upon completing the College Counseling program at UCLA, Nicole began her practicum, at Chicago’s St. Ignatius College Prep in the College Counseling department.
Nicole loves seeing the world in person or through her movie group that is watching a movie about/from every country in the world, A to Z. She also enjoys a good book, good food, and family and friends.
Nicole and Katherine are members of IECA and NACAC and follow all ethical guidlines.
