Experts in the field &
ready to lead the next generation
Welcome to the Heart of CounselMore
We are thrilled to introduce you to our Peer Mentors, an integral part of our community where innovation intersects with mentorship. These professional mentors go beyond being Brand Ambassadors; they are seasoned student affairs specialists and adept CounselMore software navigators.
As pillars of professional mentorship, camaraderie, and generosity, they play a pivotal role on our Advisory Board. They advocate for counselors, drive the evolution of our technology, and ensure that CounselMore stays at the forefront of the industry.
Our Peer Mentors enrich the CounselMore experience through various channels, including our Mentorship Circle, specialized workgroup meetings such as, Seasoned with Experience, and our engaging Friday morning study halls. They are dedicated to bolstering our collective commitment to excellence in educational planning.
Join a community that not only propels your professional growth but also enhances your visibility in the industry. Start your leadership journey and gain recognition within your field. Below, our Peer Mentors warmly invite you to explore CounselMore and encourage you to reach out with any questions or to join our vibrant community. Register for events here.
Our Esteemed Peer Mentors
Lee Norwood, MBA
College Sharks
Lee Norwood is not only an example of professional excellence in educational consulting, she's the coolest counselor! Hosting Burgers & Bands, rock and roll event each Spring, to raise money for teen-suicide prevention. Offering 1:1 premiere college planning services, her students voted her best in town, 2 years running. Most recently, she started an equity in action project; College Sharks, for DIY planning, with her guidance. Lee credits CounselMore for her ability to scale her services via CounselMore Assignment-emails, and Application Tracker. Lee's practice continues to expand by adding new counselors to the team. Her dedication to the CounselMore community is evident through her commitment to sharing best practices and enhancing the capabilities of new educational consultants:
CounselMore will be your nuts and bolts to build your vision! Lee’s approach is deeply rooted in authentic growth and professional generosity, aiming to equip her colleagues with the tools necessary for success in the complex landscape of college admissions. As a seasoned consultant, Lee not only contributes to the development of the CounselMore platform but also actively engages in creating a supportive network, fostering a spirit of collaboration among professionals.
Cyndy McDonald, CEP/MA/PPS
The College Counselor's Coach
Cyndy McDonald is a
trailblazer and dedicated Mentor, in college counseling and business, with over 30 years of experience as a college advisor. She brings unmatched expertise to her clients
and colleagues. As the founder of
Higher Education Consultants Association
(HECA) and leader in organizations like NCAG, AICEP, NACAC, and WACAC, Cyndy is a prominent voice in the profession. She is also the visionary behind two successful ventures:
MyCCA (now GuidedPath, part of MaiaLearning)
McDonald & Associates, a thriving counseling practice. Currently, Cyndy teaches in UCLA’s College Counseling Certificate Program and offers her unique brand of coaching and mentorship to help fellow counselors elevate their practices.
Individual Coaching – Ask me a question. Free 30-minute inquiry
Special Offer for CounselMore Users:
Enjoy a $30 discount on workshops or coaching sessions with code:
COUNSELMORE
Dr. Jessica Ruzicka
Director of College Counseling
Jessica has a Doctorate in Education with a specialization in Organizational Leadership and years of experience in education. She has also worked extensively in admissions, career counseling, and helping students craft strong college essays and resumes. Her business acumen helped her build a college and career advising department that went from a single counselor to 25 advisors and generated over $500K in revenue in its first year. Schedule a meeting with Jessica today to learn how you can build your own successful college advising company. CounselMore is an easy-to-use platform that enforces strategy and time management into the process, so you can make easier and better business choices! Ask me a question.
Nagla Orlando M.Ed., CEP
Knowledge Worx for College
Knowledge Worx for College Nagla Orlando is a Certified Educational Planner (CEP) and college admissions expert with over a decade of experience guiding students and supporting educational consultants. Having experience in GuidedPath and CounselMore software platforms, she is yoru expert guide. A retired credentialed AP science teacher with 25 years in the classroom, she transitioned into independent consulting in 2014, founding Knowledge Worx 4 College, Inc. to provide personalized admissions guidance. With an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, she developed the KW4C IEC Curriculum Toolkit, that can be used in your CounselMore account. She has served as regional coordinator for IECA and HECA and is the WACAC College Fair Site Chair for California’s Central Coast. As an instructor in UCLA’s College Counseling Certificate Program, she mentors future IECs. As a Peer Mentor at CounselMore, Nagla supports IECs in implementing best practices and is passionate about professional collaboration and counselor development. She welcomes conversations with counselors seeking to enhance their practice and invites you to connect with her.
Anthony Russomanno
AR Advising
Anthony Russomanno, the seasoned educator behind AR Advising and a dedicated Peer Mentor for CounselMore, has over 30 years of experience across various roles in education and admissions. By integrating CounselMore into his operations, Anthony has enhanced the efficiency and impact of his extensive educational programs. As a leader of the "Seasoned with Experience" meetings at CounselMore, he facilitates vital collaboration among industry professionals, fostering a rich exchange of insights and strategies. This role leverages CounselMore’s robust tools to streamline administrative tasks, enhance counselor collaboration, and utilize data-driven insights for program and student performance optimization. Additionally, CounselMore supports his professional development and connects him with a vibrant network of educational leaders, enhancing AR Advising’s 1:1 college planning offerings and keeping it at the cutting edge of educational innovation. Ask me a question
Margaret Rothe
HigherGrounding College Counseling
Margaret Rothe, is one of the original early adopters of CounselMore software. Having participated in the early surveys, interviews and beta tests. Over the years she earned her way to be named one of the founders of CounselMore. She is a seasoned expert in higher education student affairs, educational consulting and service delivery processes.
As a CounselMore Product Ambassador, Margaret ensures a smooth and efficient onboarding experience to get you started confidently. Beyond onboarding, she offers additional mentorship opportunities, including account rebuilding, entrepreneurial guidance, and confidential support for hiring, staffing, and business strategy. With her expertise, relaxed approach, great sense of humor, and personalized support, Margaret helps consultants gain clarity and achieve success in their practices.
Marc Gray
Odyssey College Prep
Marc Gray, the Director of Education at Odyssey College Prep, brings his extensive expertise in college admissions and aptitude testing to his role as the coordinator of the Mentor Circle at CounselMore. Marc's involvement is pivotal every last Thursday of the month, where he facilitates discussions that are crucial for professional development within the CounselMore community. His commitment to enhancing educational consulting practices through strategic use of aptitude assessments exemplifies the spirit of professional generosity that CounselMore champions. Marc's leadership in these sessions provides invaluable insights, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages growth and learning among peers.
I'm ready to work with you - just email me to get started. I can help you with Highlands Certification and how I grew from a test prep company to a multi services provider.
Lisa Margolin
Journey Ahead
Lisa Margolin, the Director of Academic and College Counseling at Journey Ahead, brings her extensive background in journalism, corporate communications, and marketing to her role in college counseling. Her approach is deeply personalized, focusing on aligning students' academic and personal aspirations with their best-fit colleges. At CounselMore, Lisa's contributions to the peer mentor community are invaluable, as she draws on her rich experience to guide new consultants in navigating the complex landscape of college admissions. Lisa's dedication to ethical practices and inclusivity in counseling exemplifies the core values of CounselMore, making her a pivotal figure in fostering professional generosity and shared expertise among educational consultants. Ask me a question
Eric Endlich
Top College Consultants
Eric Endlich, esteemed faculty of the CounselMore Learning Accelerator and founder of Top College Consultants, is distinguished for his expertise in guiding neurodiverse students through the college admissions process. His deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by students with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences enhances his role at CounselMore. Eric actively contributes to the Learning Accelerator, providing vital training and insights that empower other educational consultants to better serve a diverse student population. His commitment to inclusivity and excellence in educational consulting exemplifies the core values of CounselMore, making him an invaluable mentor and educator within the community.
April Paris-Joseph
Paris Educational Solutions
Meet April, a dedicated peer mentor and educational services practitioner who brings passion and expertise to her role. With a deep commitment to guiding students through their educational journey, April founded her own educational services practice, where she empowers students to reach their full potential. April's innovative approach integrates CounselMore software seamlessly into her practice, leveraging its robust features to streamline college planning, counseling, and application processes. Through CounselMore, April provides personalized support, helping students navigate the complexities of college admissions while equipping them with the tools and knowledge they need for success. Her commitment to excellence and student-centered approach make April a valuable asset to the CounselMore community, embodying the spirit of collaboration and empowerment in education.
Interested in becoming a Peer Mentor for CounselMore?
CounselMore was started by a conversation among a few counselors, that lead to a research project, that lead to several industry-firsts. CounselMore has been described as a category-defining technology by EdTech Digest and the premiere choice of educational service providers because it was shaped by intentional collaboration among career professionals. Peer mentorship has always been part of CounselMore, long before we organized our community of fantastic mentors to reach more members of the educational services community. Being a CounselMore Peer Mentor is a big responsibility and a whole lot of fun! Sound familiar? Peer Mentors put themselves out-in-front where they can be seen and where they can be best positioned to advocate for their peers. Leading the industry through shared commitment, they spread the word of the CounselMore community. "Together we know more, together we Counsel More."
Want to add your name to this list? We want that too! Apply today!