Meet The Team
Stop guessing and start winning.
At My Admissions Sherpa, we turn the high-stakes admissions maze into a clear, competitive advantage. By pairing your student with an elite brain trust of Ivy League insiders, published novelists, and veteran strategists, we provide the narrative depth and data-driven roadmap needed to secure a seat at the world's most selective institutions.
We don't just manage the process—we master the outcome.
Behind the Basecamp
Meet the Team
JENNIFER SCHLEGEL
Co-Founder & Senior Admissions Strategist
Jenny began helping kids get into college over two decades ago. Since then, she has worked with hundreds of teenagers and she has loved very minute of it! As the Co-founder and Co-owner of My Admissions Sherpa, Jenny possesses a unique nuanced understanding of the culture of individual schools and their specific admissions procedures. She excels at "fit-first" counseling, matching students with institutions that align with their individual goals.
Jenny holds a BA in History and Secondary Education, a Master's in History, and a Master’s in Educational Technology. A specialist in instructional design, Jenny coauthored a comprehensive online course that provides a roadmap through the admissions journey. Throughout her extensive career, she has maintained a primary motivation: a genuine love for working with teenagers.
KATE BARKER
Co-Founder & Senior Admissions Strategist
With over 30 years of experience and a genuine gift for mentoring teenagers, Kate is the heart of our firm’s mission. As the Co-Founder of My Admissions Sherpa, she brings a multi-disciplinary toolkit to the table, holding a Master of Family Therapy alongside certifications in Secondary Education, English, and Counseling.
As a consultant and expert guide, Kate has "flipped the script" on the admissions process. Rather than focusing on how a student can fit a school’s mold, she empowers them to search and choose with intention, asking the vital question: “Is this school a truly good fit for me?” Her expertise lies in helping students build curated college lists that align with their goals while providing high-level oversight on everything from application strategy to high-impact extracurriculars. By acting as a dedicated mentor from start to finish, Kate breaks a daunting cycle down into a clear, manageable roadmap. Her holistic approach ensures that every student builds a sophisticated profile and finds the institution where they will most thrive.
Emelie Collet
Director of Client Services, Strategic Operations & Head of Essay Coaching
As Director of Client Services and Strategic Operations, Emelie Collet serves as the firm’s internal strategist and operational backbone. A graduate of Vassar College with an MSEd from the University of Pennsylvania, she provides the high-level oversight that defines our professional standards, working behind the scenes to refine our internal processes and ensure excellence across the board.
Drawing on her experience as a former Undergraduate Admissions Reader at UPenn, Emelie acts as our "insider" genius. In her role, she directly supervises, manages, and trains our entire team of essay coaches, mentoring them to align with the latest, most rigorous Ivy League standards. While her focus remains on the structural and strategic side of the firm, her mastery of program development and team leadership ensures that every narrative strategy our coaches deploy is intellectually rigorous, meticulously executed, and positioned for success at the most selective institutions.
Michele Purcell
Senior Admissions Consultant
With a distinguished three-decade legacy, Michele Purcell is a preeminent authority in elite admissions. Her background in counseling psychology gives her a unique tactical advantage, allowing her to navigate high-stakes applications with a calm, strategic hand and a deep understanding of student development.
Michele specializes in the "perfect match"—aligning a student’s profile with the distinct cultures of top-tier institutions like Yale, Georgetown, and UPenn. Renowned for her organizational mastery and narrative brilliance, she blends clinical insight with Ivy League expectations to ensure every student stands out with the clarity and authority required for the nation's most competitive pools.
Abby Lederman
Senior Essay Coach & Narrative Architect
A published novelist and accomplished artist, Abby Lederman treats the college application process as a masterclass in high-level storytelling. Rather than simply refining grammar, she functions as a narrative architect, helping students excavate their unique experiences to craft sophisticated essays that resonate with the nation’s most selective admissions committees.
With over a decade of experience in youth program leadership, Abby possesses a rare ability to connect with teenagers, replacing the "fear of the blank page" with technical confidence and creative clarity. She excels at identifying the extraordinary within the ordinary, ensuring every student’s voice possesses the authority and depth necessary to stand out in an elite applicant pool.
Christine McLaughlin
Senior Admissions Consultant
A cornerstone of our team for nearly a decade, Christine is known for her calm, steady presence and organizational mastery. With over 20 years in secondary education and a background in Psychology and Anthropology from Pitt, she has a deep, intuitive understanding of student development and high-stakes decision-making.
Holding a Master’s from Widener University, Christine excels at breaking down complex requirements into a clear, successful path. She has an outstanding track record of guiding students into their first-choice, highly selective institutions by navigating the process with ease. For families seeking a high-touch, structured experience, Christine provides the strategic insight and professional composure needed to turn application anxiety into a winning trajectory.
Paulette Anders
Senior Admissions Consultant
With an elite, 360-degree perspective fueled by over 30 years of experience, Paulette Anders is a definitive authority in strategic student positioning. Holding a Master’s in School Counseling from Johns Hopkins University and an MBA in Marketing from Mount St. Mary’s, she possesses the unique ability to blend psychological insight with high-level brand strategy for the nation’s most ambitious applicants.
Currently a consultant for Saint John’s Catholic Preparatory School, Paulette is a solution-driven advisor renowned for her ability to build immediate rapport and trust with families. She specializes in resiliency coaching, ensuring that students remain grounded and focused while navigating the rigors of top-tier admissions. By replacing "admissions anxiety" with a sophisticated, confident roadmap, Paulette ensures every student is positioned to bridge the gap between their talent and their most prestigious academic goals.
Kim Lent
Senior Admissions Consultant
With an illustrious 32-year career navigating the intricacies of the college admissions landscape, Kimberly Lent is a definitive authority in the field. A graduate of Ithaca College with a Master’s in Higher Education and K–12 Counseling from West Chester University, she brings a sophisticated, long-term perspective to the most ambitious student profiles.
Kimberly specializes in transforming the complexities of elite admissions into a clear, manageable, and prestigious roadmap. Known for her approachable nature and vibrant sense of spirit, she possesses a rare ability to make the application cycle both successful and genuinely engaging. By blending her decades of expertise with a warm, spirited personality, Kimberly replaces traditional application stress with the clarity and confidence required for students to secure their place at the nation's most selective institutions.
Jennifer Kugler
Senior Essay and Resume Consultant
With a legendary 27-year career in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Jennifer has built a reputation for transforming the high-stakes admissions essay into a sophisticated journey of self-discovery. Her mastery lies in helping students at the highest academic levels navigate the pressures of elite applications by replacing anxiety with the genuine confidence and technical authority required to stand out to top-tier admissions committees.
Holding an M.A. in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Jennifer brings a rare depth of perspective to the writing process, ensuring every student’s narrative is both intellectually rigorous and authentically voiced. Universally respected for her ability to make students feel validated and heard, she ensures that their unique stories are told with the clarity and persuasive power necessary for success at the nation’s most prestigious universities.
RACHEL PIRRUNG
Senior Admissions Consultant
Rachel, a Philadelphia native, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies from Cabrini College. She went on to receive her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, with a concentration in School Counseling, from Holy Family University. Rachel holds a Level II PA School Counseling certification (K–12) and has nine years of experience as a high school counselor.
Throughout her career, she has guided hundreds of students—many of them first-generation college-bound—through academic planning and postsecondary decision-making. Rachel is passionate about making the college process accessible, empowering, and student-centered. Her goal is to help students and families find their best-fit colleges while meeting them where they are to ensure they navigate admissions with confidence.
Alicia Vorse
Senior Admissions Consultant
As a Dual-Certified School Counselor and Admissions Specialist with 15 years of experience, Alicia provides the high-touch, strategic oversight necessary to navigate today’s hyper-competitive higher education landscape. She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Social Sciences from Penn State and a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Holy Family University.
Alicia utilizes her deep clinical background to offer a personalized, data-driven approach to the application process. Beyond mere placement, she specializes in identifying the "perfect fit"—aligning a student’s unique profile with institutions that offer the most prestigious academic and professional trajectories. By demystifying elite admissions and providing meticulous, end-to-end guidance, Alicia empowers families to secure a distinct competitive advantage with absolute clarity and confidence.
Elana Chasan
Senior Admissions Consultant
With 19 years of experience—including a decade at Philadelphia’s #1 ranked college preparatory high school—Elana brings an elite pedigree to the admissions process. Having navigated one of the most competitive academic environments in the country, she specializes in translating high-level student ambition into standout applications for the nation's most selective institutions.
Elana provides sophisticated, end-to-end strategic positioning, covering everything from high-stakes essay development to complex financial aid landscapes. While her results are rooted in a data-driven, meticulous approach, she is known for her signature warmth—providing a steadying, expert presence that mitigates the pressures facing top-tier students. As both a trusted advisor and a fierce advocate, Elana ensures each student is strategically positioned for a trajectory of long-term success.
Anne Lenahan
Senior Admissions Consultant
Anne brings nearly a decade of experience, military leadership, and clinical counseling expertise to the college admissions process. A U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduate with a B.S. in Management and an M.A. in Education and Human Development from George Washington University, she holds dual credentials as a Certified School Counselor and Licensed Associate Counselor.
Having navigated the rigorous service academy process firsthand and guided countless students through it as a counselor, Anne specializes in complex application pathways and post-high school transitions. Her compassionate, student-centered approach breaks down overwhelming choices into manageable steps, empowering students to take their next big step with clarity and confidence.
Suzanne Blunt
Senior Admissions Consultant and Essay Coach
With 24 years of experience as a veteran English teacher and former Department Chair, Suzanne provides an elite level of academic oversight to the college transition. Her mastery of AP Literature and SAT preparation gives students a distinct technical advantage, ensuring their applications meet the highest standards of rigor and sophisticated composition.
Suzanne specializes in transforming the high-stakes college essay into a showcase of intellectual and personal depth. By helping students identify their unique writer’s voice, she ensures their narratives possess the clarity, authority, and persuasive power necessary to stand out to admissions committees at top-tier institutions. A proud Temple University alumna, Suzanne blends decades of classroom leadership with a refined, results-driven approach to student mentorship.
Lyn Russo
Senior Admissions Consultant
Marilyn brings an invaluable insider's perspective to the college admissions process, drawing on over 25 years of extensive experience as both a former admissions officer at a private liberal arts college and a dedicated high school counselor at a large public high school. Having evaluated applications from both sides of the desk, she excels at demystifying the complex admissions landscape for families.
Marilyn specializes in strategic course selection, targeted application positioning, and guiding students to stand out authentically in competitive applicant pools, ultimately empowering each student to discover and gain admission to their ideal-fit institution.
Dana Rodriguez
Senior Admissions Consultant
A Pennsylvania-certified K–12 counselor with an elite understanding of the academic lifecycle, Dana provides the high-touch mentorship required to navigate today’s competitive admissions landscape. Her expertise spans both public and charter systems, where she has served as a lead counselor at the middle school, high school, and specialized college-and-career levels.
Dana holds an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Holy Family University and a B.A. in Psychology from Rowan University. She leverages her deep clinical and educational background to provide a tailored, results-oriented strategy. By focusing on the "perfect fit," Dana ensures each student is positioned within an environment that maximizes their long-term academic and professional success.
Tina Jeon
Senior Essay Coach
Tina Jeon believes every student has a compelling story to tell—they just need the right advocate to help bring it to light.
Holding degrees from Bryn Mawr College, Temple University Beasley School of Law, and a Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) from the University of Pennsylvania, Tina brings a unique combination of analytical precision, pedagogical expertise, and deep empathy to her work.
Her core passion lies in supporting neurodiverse learners and students with learning differences. As a former Employability and Transition Teacher, Tina specialized in helping students with ADHD, dyslexia, and autism spectrum conditions navigate academic demands, build real-world confidence, and translate their unique perspectives onto the page. She knows that students who think differently often possess the most creative minds and profound insights.
Over more than a decade of teaching and coaching, Tina has guided students through the SAT, ACT, college essays, and personal statements—from those requiring structured support to high achievers aiming for top-tier institutions. Whether mentoring a first-generation college applicant, an IEP student, or someone building their writing confidence, Tina serves as a dedicated strategist, editor, and champion for every student she works with.
Jill Gardner
Senior Essay Coach
Jill Gardner is an experienced educator with over 27 years of dedicated service in teaching, mentoring, and guiding high school students toward academic success. She holds a B.S. in English Education from West Chester University and an M.S. in Education from Neumann University.
Since 2001, Jill has taught high school English at Garnet Valley High School, specializing in gifted education, advanced coursework, and curriculum development. She also serves as an online instructor for GV eSchool and an advisor for the National Honor Society. Beyond the classroom, she has worked for over two decades as a private English tutor, helping students master literary analysis, writing, and SAT preparation.
With her extensive background in mentoring high-achieving learners, Jill offers unique expertise in the college admissions process. She specializes in guiding students to craft compelling, authentic application essays, build confidence, and navigate their path to higher education with clarity and purpose.
Jasmine James
Essay Coach and Resume Specialist
Jasmine is a Drexel University graduate and seasoned educator with a deep passion for empowering young writers. Her background spans teaching middle and high school English at a private school, facilitating community writing workshops through a Philadelphia after-school program, and crafting successful proposals as a non-profit grant writer.
Combining her structural writing expertise with a natural ability to connect with teenagers, Jasmine excels at coaching students through the college admissions process. She mentors applicants through every stage of writing—from brainstorming authentic personal stories to polishing final drafts—helping them find their voice, build confidence, and submit standout applications.
Greg Ricken
Admissions Data Specialist
As the team’s Data Specialist, Greg Ricken brings a sophisticated, analytical edge to the college admissions process. With six years of high school counseling experience and a Master of Science from Long Island University, Greg ensures his students maintain a competitive advantage by meticulously tracking shifting admissions trends and high-level educational data.
Greg combines this data-driven oversight with a hands-on approach to student mentorship, specializing in strategic resume building and the identification of unique personal passions. By blending quantitative insights with a focus on individual narrative, Greg provides the technical clarity and forward-thinking guidance necessary for students to navigate today’s complex higher education landscape with confidence.
Our Mission Statement
To guide, educate and empower students through each step of the college admissions process and identify schools that will help them grow in all facets of life: intellectually, socially, culturally, and spiritually. At My Admissions Sherpa, we strive to streamline the admissions process to make it less stressful while helping kids get into their top-choice schools. The opportunity to guide each student as they take their first major steps towards becoming independent and self-sufficient adults is both an honor and a pleasure.