Although college admissions advisors is a growing field, Valerie is one of just six Minnesota members of the Independent Educational Consultants Association and the first educational consultant in Minnesota to earn the designation of Certified Educational Planner. She has more than 30 years of experience in education at the junior high, senior high and college level. Added to her experiences as a former math teacher, admissions counselor, director of student activities and associate vice chancellor, Valerie has toured hundreds of campuses and can help narrow the search to the colleges that best fit a student’s interests, background and abilities. Her commitment to students and families deepened after she helped her own two sons enter college. A long-time educator, she was surprised to find how little she knew when one of her sons chose a music conservatory rather than a traditional college. Realizing how stressful and draining the selection process can be, she started College Connectors to help all students and families enjoy the process of choosing a college that fosters a successful transition to a career and adulthood. An active participant in her community, Valerie is a member of the Duluth Superior Symphony Board of Directors. In addition, she's active at Lady of Our Lourdes Church. Her professional affiliations include the Minnesota Association of College Admissions Counselors, the Higher Education Consultants Association and the Independent Educational Consultants Association. Valerie is also a consistent guest on KARE 11. Click here to hear Valerie on KARE 11’s Whatever show as she talks to teens about what they need to be thinking about and doing to get ready for the college application process. In her spare time, Valerie enjoys reading, needlepoint and playing piano. She and her husband reside in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Valerie Broughton, Ph.D. |
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With over 20 years of experience in higher education, career development, and human resource management, Donna is skilled at helping clients identify and achieve their educational goals. She believes the college search process need not be an anxious or stressful time but should be a process of self-discovery for the college-bound student, ultimately resulting in a great match of student and educational environment. Donna’s private college background complements Valerie’s experience with public institutions, giving families a broad perspective on college options. Her career includes work in higher education at Macalester College, Yale University, and Metropolitan State University. Donna was recently the interim college counselor for a Twin Cities private high school. Earlier in her career, she worked in human resources management with an emphasis on employee career development. Donna is a member of Higher Education Consultants Association, the Minnesota Association for College Admissions Counselors and the National Career Development Association. She holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and a B.A. in History from Grinnell College. Helping her own children find the right college match and prepare for graduate schools has given Donna a firsthand perspective on the college selection process and the resulting family transitions. Her son is currently a college senior and her daughter is pursuing a career in medicine. In addition to working with current high school students in the college planning process, Donna anticipates expanding services offered by College Connectors, including internship and graduate school consulting and career development coaching. “I use my counseling background, my sense of humor, and my parenting experience to connect with families and help them relax about the college search process. When we alleviate some of the stress, clients are better able to stay open to possibilities and to make better educational and career decisions.” Donna and her husband Jerry Miranowski live in Saint Paul, MN. She enjoys time with family, laughing with friends, books, movies, and escaping to the family cottage on Lake Superior. Donna Kelly, M.A. |
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 Erin
Sperling, Ph.D.,
Independent Educational Consultant, utilizes her professional,
personal and academic skills and interests to assist students in
successfully accessing and completing college. She is particularly
interested in working with students with disabilities which
include ADD/ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder/Aspergers Syndrome and
learning disabilities.
Her professional affiliations include the Association for the Study of Higher Education, the Minnesota Association of College Admissions Counselors and the Association on Higher Education and Disability. Erin also attended the Principles and Practices Institute in July 2005, which is hosted by the Independent Educational Consultants Association . She is an Associate Member of that organization. In addition, Erin is a member of Arc Minnesota-Greater Twin Cities, the Autism Society of Minnesota, the Ramsey County Citizens Advisory Council on Developmental Disabilities and the White Bear Lake Parent Advisory Council on Special Education. In May 2005, Erin graduated from the Partners in Policymaking program, which teaches persons with disabilities and their families how to effectively advocate within educational and political systems. Erin has worked in higher education within the state of Minnesota for 14 years and is especially familiar with the challenges faced by first-year college students. As a graduate student, Erin was employed as a program coordinator at a campus Women’s Center, an assistant complex director in a first-year residence hall as well as an intern at a campus First Year Experience office, whose staff provide guidance to new students. Erin’s professional career has included positions in college and university student advising, fiscal management and academic programs. As the parent of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Erin understands first-hand the challenges and triumphs associated with having a child with special needs. Her personal experience with disability, when combined with her higher education background, provides her with a unique perspective that students and their families will benefit from when exploring college options. Erin holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Counseling and Student Personnel from Minnesota State University-Mankato, as well as a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Administration from the University of Minnesota. Erin, her husband, and their two children live in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Erin Sperling,
Ph.D. |
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