Kelly Barnhardt has worked in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors helping business owners and leaders on their next steps. Her biggest and most fulfilling achievement, though, is owning her own business, College Admissions Strategies. As a college consultant and coach, she helps our youngest and most talented minds with their next steps and goals in higher education. She works with students and parents on those life transitions that can often scare us or hold us back from doing what we really want to do.

About Me

Throughout her 25+ year career journey, Kelly Barnhardt has worked in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors helping business owners and leaders on their next steps. Her biggest and most fulfilling achievement, though, is owning her own business, College Admissions Strategies. As a college consultant and coach, she helps our youngest and most talented minds with their next steps and goals in higher education. She works with students and parents on those life transitions that can often scare us or hold us back from doing what we really want to do.

Are you dreaming of something more? How fulfilling is your life currently? Whether you are headed off to college, embarking on a new career path, or wanting to begin a new life chapter, let's explore what makes you...YOU! How can we best put you in a position to achieve everything you have ever wanted? Your path can be limitless when you feel confident and in control. Let's get started on how I can support you in achieving all that you want!

Kelly's past leadership positions have helped her achieve the following honors and awards: *The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Award in 2024, * Charlotte Business Journal (CBJ) “40 Under 40” honoree in 2015, * Union County Weekly Top 100 Business People of 2016, * CBJ Top 50 Mentor for National Bizwomen Mentoring Event 2016-2018, * Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly Top 50 Women Leaders 2017-2019, * The Mecklenburg Times Top 50 Most Influential Women of Charlotte 2017, * ATHENA Charlotte Leadership Honoree for Service 2018, * Mecklenburg Times 2019 Icons and Phenoms Honoree of Charlotte, and * 2023, 2022 & 2021 CMG Best of Weeklies Award for College Consulting Services.

Specialty Areas

Students Enrolled

University of Florida, University of Georgia, Auburn University, Clemson University, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, North Carolina State University -- Raleigh, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, University of South Carolina -- Columbia, The University of Arizona, The University of Alabama, Elon University, College of Charleston, East Carolina University, Appalachian State University, University of Mississippi, The George Washington University, Virginia Tech, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, American University.