Customized English Language Tutoring: Learning and Confidence Starts Here

Maria has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Economics from Bocconi University. She also has a Master’s and PhD in Public Policy from Duke University. Her research experience has been invaluable to her professional and personal growth. It has helped her tackle different tasks with the curiosity to engage with the issue and the analytical mindset to break any problem into smaller, more manageable questions. She is passionate about passing this on to others and helping them develop the right mindset to succeed. She aims to show students that anybody could produce interesting research with patience, dedication, and a pinch of guidance. 

Maria has been mentoring college students for the past three years. At the Duke Institute for Science and Society, she oversaw the work of several students who researched science policy topics. At the Institute for Technology and Global Health, Maria supervised student research on technology policy applied to public health issues. She also worked with student interns at NxtWork.org, who engaged in writing tasks and research related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives in the US. Furthermore, as a Lecturer at Johns Hopkins University, Maria has advised master's students in their research.

Maria's mentorship approach focuses on building trust with students. She creates a calm, relaxed environment where students can ask questions and share their doubts. Maria is skilled at breaking the research process into smaller, more manageable steps to give students a sense of perspective and direction. However, she strives to tell students how every small step feeds into the bigger picture and their objectives. What's more, maintaining flexibility is a high priority for Maria. As a coach, she outlines a solid, realistic, and reliable schedule with which she and the applicant feel comfortable. Maria's ultimate goal is for students to learn to be organized and self-driven but still have fun generating new, creative ideas.

Maria understands that producing strong research requires a mix of creativity, patience, and dedication, and all of these traits can be learned. She aims to inspire students to look creatively at different issues from novel points of view, patiently pursue their hunches with structure and organization, and push through their projects even when the end line is not in clear sight.

Maria’s mentorship has helped students succeed in their academic pursuits, with many graduating from R1 institutions while others are completing their college education. She understands that students are more engaged and learn better when they develop a sense of pride and ownership over their work. Thus, her ultimate goal is to help students feel that the deliverable was a product of their creativity and effort.

Jada earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, followed by a Master’s degree from the University of Maryland. She served as a Graduate Advisor for two years while earning her Master's degree, providing support to more than 50 student leaders and directors and planning campus-wide activities, including the management of over 600 student clubs and 10,000 attendees. 

Prior to this, she held a role in UCLA's residence life, overseeing a community of 1,200 students. She also contributed as a facilitator at the LGBTQ Campus Resource Center and offered counseling support at campus protests and major events for the Black Campus Committee. Beyond academia, Jada also has experience working at Disney, Warner Bros., and FOX Sports.

As a first-generation college graduate, Jada empathizes with the challenges of navigating the admissions process. She strives to be the counselor she wished she had and is passionate about simplifying the process and removing barriers to higher education for all students. She believes it is a true privilege to empower students to confidently navigate this exciting chapter of their lives. Her coaching style is influenced by her background as an athlete and educator and her preference for the "challenge and support" student personnel model.

In her coaching role, Jada excels at helping students recognize their autonomy and capabilities. She believes in collaborative work, valuing both counselor and student expertise. She approaches students holistically, recognizing their diverse identities and life circumstances. She uses a variety of teaching strategies, including auditory, visual, and kinesthetic methods, tailoring her approach to each student’s needs and motivations. 

By identifying whether students struggle with extrinsic or intrinsic motivation or both, she helps them rediscover their goals and address underlying factors affecting their drive. Jada aims to empower students through support and belief in their potential, providing both affirmation and honest feedback. Students Jada has mentored have been accepted to some of the nation’s top schools, particularly in the UC school system. 

In her free time, Jada enjoys going on nature walks with her dog, reading, going to comic book stores, hosting TV show watch parties with friends, drawing and making digital art, making playlists for friends, and going to drag shows! She is also a huge sports fan and loves going to college women's basketball, WNBA, and soccer games. In fact, Jada played soccer competitively for 15 years and managed the Maryland Women's Basketball Team, which allowed her to travel to the NCAA March Madness Tournament until the Elite 8 round!

Lizette earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan before completing a Master of Arts from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Professionally, Lizette has over a decade of experience in higher education, having served as Assistant to the Dean at the University of Texas and Associate Dean of Student Development and Records at Morton College.

As a first-generation college graduate, Lizette is committed to helping others reach their potential. She understands that while some students have clear goals, others may need guidance. She enjoys being part of their decision-making process and assisting them through uncertainties.

As a coach, Lizette is known for being outgoing, understanding, and passionate. She is dedicated to finding solutions and maintaining a glass-half-full outlook. Her teaching style is centered around the individual student; she meets them where they are, learning about their interests and motivations to help them excel. Lizette empowers her students to believe in their own “magic” and provides the tools needed to stay on track and succeed.

Outside of teaching or coaching, Lizette enjoys watching college football, reading books, going to the beach, exploring natural trails, and traveling! One of her fondest travel memories is riding a camel across the Sahara Desert during a vacation to Morocco.