For four decades I have worked in education and special-education research, with focus on the transition from youth to adult life. I hold a Ph.D. in special education, for both 1) students with neuro-developmental and learning challenges and 2) students who are academically gifted. With additional specialized training and experience in college choice and application preparation, writing and editing, we can work together to develop and achieve your academic goals.

I love working with students as a proud mom of two college graduates pursuing their dreams.

Professional groups that I belong to offer me access to extraordinary colleagues with diverse knowledge, shared advice, evidence-based research and innovation, emerging ideas and news happening in the field.

SACC – Seattle Association for College Consultants
NACAC – National Association of College Admissions Counselors
HECA – Higher Education Consultants Association
CEC – Council for Exceptional Children
AERA – American Education Research Association

About Me

• Career in academic and nonprofit settings focused on education and special education practice, research and policy. Expertise with diverse populations, at-risk and disenfranchised children, youth, and young adults across the life span with emphasis on transitions, evidence-based interventions, and systems reform.

• Founded Education Maven to provide comprehensive, individualized college planning, support, and admissions guidance to students and families. Includes student assessments, best-fit college search, all application tasks with special emphasis on essays—helping students find their voice, brainstorm ideas, write succinctly, and edit stellar essays. Specialize with students across the spectrum, from students with learning challenges to those who are academically gifted. www.educationmaven.net

• Director of the first national collaboration of 15 U.S. Department of Education-funded model demonstration project grantees bringing cutting-edge interventions into schools & districts nationwide. Managed this unique 6-year challenge resulting in collective impact through cross-grantee communication, relationship building, mutual problem solving, tool development, data collection, evaluations, & shared dissemination.

• Supervised staff of 10+ & managed projects with budgets of more than $2million with on time, high quality deliverables in deadline-driven environment.

• Senior member of design, analysis, & reporting teams for 3 national longitudinal studies of children and youth with disabilities; results inform the federal laws (e.g., IDEA) that govern special education regulations.

• Published 75+ professional peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, & client reports, & present nationally & via webinars.

• 12 years telecommuting from Seattle home office to SRI International in Menlo Park, CA, & with clients nationwide, demonstrating expert virtual communication skills, technological proficiency, personal discipline, heightened organization, and good humor.

Specialty Areas

Students Enrolled