Leadership Team
Our leadership team uses their years of experience to guide parents and students through the test prep and college admissions process. By working closely with our team of college consultants that includes counselors, tutors, editors, and coaches, they are personally invested in the success of every student at Galin Education.
(Based in Madison, WI and NYC, NY – works with students throughout the country)
Northwestern University – BS Learning and Organizational Change
Bank Street College of Education – MS Education
Northwestern University – BS Learning and Organizational Change
Bank Street College of Education – MS Education
Zach has spent over a decade working independently with students and families in the college admissions process. From test preparation to college matching, applications, and financial aid, Zach has helped students gain acceptance to their top choice schools.
Zach spent his undergraduate years at Northwestern University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Learning and Organizational Change. He was actively engaged in student government, Greek life, cultural affairs, and community service. Upon graduation, he ran an academic tutoring and test prep center on New York City’s upper west side. He worked with hundreds of families to diagnose students’ specific academic deficiencies and develop courses from a variety of text-based and digital curricula to improve their skills.
Zach was then accepted into Teach for America and taught science, test-taking strategies, and organizational skills in a middle/high school in the South Bronx. While a corps member, he received his masters degree in education from New York City’s Bank Street College of Education.
Zach previously served on Hillel’s International Board of Directors, Bank Street College’s Board of Trustees, and the Madison Jewish Community Day School Board of Directors. He currently serves as the chair of the Camp Shalom (Verona, WI) committee, as a member of the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Foundation board, and as a board member of the Jewish Federation of Madison.
University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign, BBA Business Administration
Roosevelt University, MEd Education
Argosy University, MA Community Counseling
Roosevelt University, MEd Education
Argosy University, MA Community Counseling
Scott received his Bachelors in Business Administration from the University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He went on to earn both a teaching certification and a Master’s degree in Education from Roosevelt University in Chicago. Scott spent seven years working for a Chicago charter school network. He started as a middle school special education teacher before becoming a special education program administrator at two charter schools.
While working in special education, Scott also earned a Master’s degree in Community Counseling from Argosy University and became a Licensed Professional Counselor. For six years, he worked at a private counseling practice near Chicago. He specialized in providing executive functioning coaching, academic coaching, and individual counseling for high-achieving, under-performing students.
Scott combines his unique expertise in special education, school administration, and therapeutic counseling to foster meaningful relationships with clients. His main goal is to help direct students along the path to self-directed learning, executive functioning skillsets, personal growth, and independence. In his free time, Scott likes to read pop culture history books, water-ski, and play softball.
University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign – B.A., Teaching of English
University of Utah – M.Ed., Special Education
University of Utah – M.Ed., Special Education
Lynn has spent the last 22 years in Madison working with children of all ages. Lynn’s career in Madison started as a teacher in the special education department at Jefferson Middle School. She came to Jefferson after having received a Masters in Special Education from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, where she lived for just over three years. While in Salt Lake, Lynn spent her free time downhill skiing and hiking in one of the more beautiful mountain ranges that surround the city: the Wasatch (which is also the name of one of her dogs). Professionally in Salt Lake, Lynn taught English at one of the city’s alternative schools, and served as the Department Chair for the Special Education Department in a Salt Lake City junior high.
Before moving to Salt Lake, Lynn taught High School English to children with behavior disorders at an alternative high school in the suburbs of Chicago. Lynn obtained her BA in the Teaching of English from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana (Go Illini!).
After her third year at Jefferson, Lynn had her second child (each of whom benefited from their time at Galin Education – one (Charlie) is completing his sophomore year at UW Madison, and the other (Julia) will be heading to Ann Arbor this fall to start her college career as a Wolverine), and began what would be a 16-year career with the Jewish Federation of Madison.
Lynn started at JFM as the Camp Shalom Director, where she worked with 75 staff members (ages 16-25) and helped ensure that more than 400 children (Kindergarten thru 4th Grade) experience a summer that most look forward to repeating, and many will never forget. Also at JFM, Lynn served as the Pre-School Director, and the Financial Resources Director.
Lynn’s specialties include an uncanny ability to help students learn how to schedule and manage their activities, responsibilities and lessons, and how to just “relax.”
University of Wisconsin- Madison, B.A., Psychology with a Certificate in Jewish Studies
University of Wisconsin- Madison, M.S., Curriculum and Instruction
University of Wisconsin- Madison, M.S., Curriculum and Instruction
Ellen grew up between the coasts, living in Swampscott, MA and Palo Alto, CA. She came to Madison for college, fell in love with the city and her husband Ben who was born and raised here, and never left. Summer is Ellen’s favorite season and nothing beats summer in Madison! When she was in college, Ellen started working at Camp Shalom as the Assistant Director which led to a 22 year long career at the Jewish Federation of Madison (JFM) working with children and families. During her time at the JFM, she taught preschool, Directed the MIdrasha Hebrew High School program, developed community activities and was lucky to spend her summer days outdoors as the Director of Camp Shalom. Ellen loves finding creative ways to engage people in learning. She is currently teaching a class of Kindergarten- Third grade students at Beth Israel Center’s afterschool Jewish education program.
Ellen is excited about working at Galin Education and really looking forward to getting to know the tutors! She is excited to focus on team-building and helping to create connections between the tutors, the Galin staff, and the families.
Ellen and her husband have 2 children, a sixth grader and a second grader. They love to spend time in their neighborhood, taking walks and having bonfires in their backyard. Ellen loves to cook, bake and garden, preferably with airpods in her ears because she is a true-crime podcast junkie!
Quinnipiac University – BS, Psychology
Fordham University – MST, Childhood Special Education
Fordham University – MST, Childhood Special Education
Alex came to Madison from New York where he earned his MST in Childhood and Special Education from Fordham University. During graduate school, Alex taught both 2nd and 4th grade in Valhalla, New York. Alex completed his undergraduate years at Quinnipiac University where he received his B.S. in Psychology. Prior to moving to Madison, Alex spent two years working at the same school he student taught, as a 3rd grade special education teacher.
Beyond the classroom, Alex coached basketball for eight summers at Pierce Country Day Camp in New York. For the last 14 summers, he has worked at a sleepaway camp in Starlight, PA as a counselor and a supervisor for 6th grade boys and continues to go back every summer.
In his free time, Alex enjoys going to sporing events, playing basketball and taking his dog Capra to the dog park.
University of Chicago, B.A. in Philosophy and East Asian Languages and Civilization
A Madison native, Ethan is thrilled to be back in the Badger state after a 20 year journey that took him away to East and West coasts, Chicago, Colorado, and Asia.Ethan has over five years of experience working with students both directly in the process of applying to colleges as well as reviewing applications for admission to higher education. After graduating from the University of Chicago with a BA in Philosophy in 2015, he moved to Shanghai, China where he instructed over 500 students over two years in ACT, SAT, SSAT, and AP exams covering English, Reading, Writing, and World History.
After taking the long way back to the US via the Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Siberian railroads, Ethan took a position as an Admissions Counselor at UW Madison, where he worked most directly with students applying from East Asia, as well as some Wisconsin students from the Milwaukee and northern areas of the state, eventually evaluating over 3,000 unique applications. Throughout these experiences, Ethan has been driven by a passion for learning, exploring, and teaching, and is thrilled to bring the knowledge he’s acquired to help students at Galin Education. When not working with students, Ethan enjoys spending time in the outdoors, fishing, cooking, and reading.
Clemson University, BFA, Visual Arts
School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston at Tufts University, MFA, Interdisciplinary Fine Art
School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston at Tufts University, MFA, Interdisciplinary Fine Art
Ashley began her career in education designing curricula for an arts education non-profit in the Boston area while studying art and poetry at SMFA/Tufts University. After completing her graduate degree, she went on to earn her teaching credentials from the Sizer Teachers Center while developing interdisciplinary arts and ELA courses at the Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School in Devens, MA. In addition to her experience as a full-time classroom educator, Ashley has directed visual arts and creative writing after-school and pre-college programs for students in grades 7-12.
Ashley grew up in Charleston, SC and lived in Boston, San Francisco, and London before moving to Madison with her husband and two cats.
Jen Earls (she/hers) has over 6 years of pre-medical advising experience, namely at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA where she advised hundreds of applicants on applying to MD, MD-PhD, and DO programs nationwide with a 96% acceptance rate. She is also trained as a Professional Career Counselor and has a 360Reach Personal Branding Certification; she leverages her specialized expertise to help applicants gain the essential experiences, skills and confidence they need to be prepared to apply and successfully articulate their experiences in medical school applications and interviews. She holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education Administration from Suffolk University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Tufts University. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, meditating and spending time in the mountains of Asheville, NC with her husband.
College Counselors
Galin Education’s counselors work with students and parents to navigate the complex world of college admissions. Our counselors leverage their past experience of working in higher education to share insights with students and parents to create successful applications.
(Based in Madison, WI and NYC, NY – works with students throughout the country)
Northwestern University – BS Learning and Organizational Change
Bank Street College of Education – MS Education
Northwestern University – BS Learning and Organizational Change
Bank Street College of Education – MS Education
Zach has spent over a decade working independently with students and families in the college admissions process. From test preparation to college matching, applications, and financial aid, Zach has helped students gain acceptance to their top choice schools.
Zach spent his undergraduate years at Northwestern University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Learning and Organizational Change. He was actively engaged in student government, Greek life, cultural affairs, and community service. Upon graduation, he ran an academic tutoring and test prep center on New York City’s upper west side. He worked with hundreds of families to diagnose students’ specific academic deficiencies and develop courses from a variety of text-based and digital curricula to improve their skills.
Zach was then accepted into Teach for America and taught science, test-taking strategies, and organizational skills in a middle/high school in the South Bronx. While a corps member, he received his masters degree in education from New York City’s Bank Street College of Education.
Zach previously served on Hillel’s International Board of Directors, Bank Street College’s Board of Trustees, and the Madison Jewish Community Day School Board of Directors. He currently serves as the chair of the Camp Shalom (Verona, WI) committee, as a member of the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Foundation board, and as a board member of the Jewish Federation of Madison.
University of Chicago, B.A. in Philosophy and East Asian Languages and Civilization
A Madison native, Ethan is thrilled to be back in the Badger state after a 20 year journey that took him away to East and West coasts, Chicago, Colorado, and Asia.Ethan has over five years of experience working with students both directly in the process of applying to colleges as well as reviewing applications for admission to higher education. After graduating from the University of Chicago with a BA in Philosophy in 2015, he moved to Shanghai, China where he instructed over 500 students over two years in ACT, SAT, SSAT, and AP exams covering English, Reading, Writing, and World History.
After taking the long way back to the US via the Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Siberian railroads, Ethan took a position as an Admissions Counselor at UW Madison, where he worked most directly with students applying from East Asia, as well as some Wisconsin students from the Milwaukee and northern areas of the state, eventually evaluating over 3,000 unique applications. Throughout these experiences, Ethan has been driven by a passion for learning, exploring, and teaching, and is thrilled to bring the knowledge he’s acquired to help students at Galin Education. When not working with students, Ethan enjoys spending time in the outdoors, fishing, cooking, and reading.
University of Minnesota - BA History
University of Minnesota Law School - JD
UCLA - Certificate in College Counseling
University of Minnesota Law School - JD
UCLA - Certificate in College Counseling
Beth joins the Galin Education team with extensive experience working one-on-one with students and families to achieve their college admissions goals. Helping students find the right academic, personal, and financial fit at a college where they will thrive is both her vocation and avocation.
After practicing corporate law in Minnesota and Michigan, Beth moved to Wisconsin and became an active school volunteer in Fort Atkinson and at Edgewood High School in Madison. She has served as the president of the School District of Fort Atkinson Board of Education and chairman of the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation, where she was also a frequent member of selection committees for the foundation’s local scholarship program.
Beth worked closely with her three children when they applied to college; after successfully guiding them through highly selective admissions, she founded McLaughlin College Consulting to pursue her passion for college counseling and helping high school students go after their dreams. Beth completed the UCLA College Counseling Certificate Program and is credentialed as an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC). She is a member of the Wisconsin Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC) and the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). A recreational cyclist, Beth enjoys spending her free time pedaling the back roads of Wisconsin and exploring the rest of the world on two wheels.
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Bachelor of Science-Human Services
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Masters of Science-Educational Psychology emphasis in School Counseling
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Masters of Science-Educational Psychology emphasis in School Counseling
Bill is a recently retired School and College Counselor with 32 years of experience in both private and public high schools. He spent his first four years at Thomas More High School in Milwaukee, WI and the next 28 years at Whitefish Bay High School, located in the north shore suburb of Milwaukee. Both schools were college prep, with over 90 percent of the graduating seniors attending a post-secondary institution. Bill has extensive experience counseling students and parents through the college process. While at Whitefish Bay, Bill developed many great relationships with college representatives as over 100 colleges visited his school each fall. He is knowledgeable about colleges throughout the country and has been on a variety of college tours. Bill has also worked with many recruited student athletes. Bill coached high school basketball for many years. One of Bill’s strengths is connecting with students and getting to know them on an individual basis.
Bill is married, and has three adult children and two grandchildren. He enjoys the outdoors, playing golf, hiking, biking and kayaking. He is a huge fan of all Wisconsin sports teams.
Marquette University, BA Broadcast and Electronic Communication
Marquette University, MA Leadership Studies
Marquette University, MA School Counseling
Marquette University, MA Leadership Studies
Marquette University, MA School Counseling
Brian spent almost a decade in the world of education. He is a former Admissions Counselor at Marquette University. He served as the Director of College Counseling at Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Illinois and as a generalist school counselor at Wauwatosa East High School before becoming the Director of College Counseling at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School in Milwaukee, WI. He is an author, speaker, and father.
Georgetown University, B.A. Psychology
Suffolk University, MEd. Higher Education Administration
Suffolk University, MEd. Higher Education Administration
After six years working on college campuses in admissions and student activities, Emma is thrilled to join the college counseling team at Galin! She is currently a college counselor at a private international school in the Washington, DC area, working primarily with students attending college in the US and Canada. Her main interest is helping students find the best fit school for them where they will thrive and succeed. In addition, she coordinates the administration of the SAT suite of assessments.
After graduating from Georgetown University in 2016, Emma left her hometown of DC to get her Masters of Education in Higher Education Administration at Suffolk University in Boston. She was delighted to gain experience working in community engagement, student affairs, and college admission. She is delighted to return home, and while she loves Boston, she will not miss digging her car out of the snow!
Emma currently lives in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, DC with her partner and their crazy coonhound Banjo. In her free time, she enjoys going to the local farmers market, reading, and watching Survivor.
Ripon College, B.A. in Sociology
Loyola University Chicago, M.Ed. in College Student Personnel/School Counseling Certificate
Loyola University Chicago, M.Ed. in College Student Personnel/School Counseling Certificate
Cindy joins Galin Education after a 33 year career in admission and college/school counseling. She is passionate about helping students make the most of their experience in high school and guiding them through the college selection process to find the best fit. Cindy’s warm, genuine and down to earth style helps students feel comfortable and at ease.
Cindy began her career in College Admission working at three liberal arts colleges in the midwest: Ripon College, Lake Forest College and Grinnell College. While in these roles she worked with students across the country from Arizona to New York to a variety of high schools, read applications as a member of the admission committee, served as athletic liaison to the coaching staff, and coordinated both the student tour guide and alumni admission programs.
Cindy transitioned to College Counseling after a move back to the Chicago area. She worked as a College Counselor at The Latin School of Chicago, Homewood Flossmoor High School and Illinois Math and Science Academy. For the last 16 years, Cindy has been a School Counselor at Hinsdale Central High School. At Central, she was awarded the HHSTA Professional Excellence Award for her commitment to students, school and community. She retired from that role and moved to her home state of WI in July of 2023. Cindy is currently working as the Head School Counselor at St. Joan Antida High School in Milwaukee.
Throughout her career, Cindy has always prioritized making connections with colleagues. She has been an active member in professional organizations such as NACAC and IACAC and has served in numerous leadership and committee roles in both organizations. Cindy has traveled to visit well over 200 colleges in her career to develop strong relationships with admission professionals and stay up to date on current academic programs and admission trends.
Cindy loves nature, wildlife and the outdoors. She enjoys kayaking, skate skiing, downhill skiing, running, biking, and swimming. She trains for and competes in a sprint triathlon every summer. Cindy is an amateur wildlife photographer and has recently focused her sights on a local bald eagle nest.
Stanford University – B.A. English
University of Hawaii – M.Ed. Educational Leadership
University of Hawaii – M.Ed. Educational Leadership
Jessie is thrilled to work with Galin families in college admissions and essay coaching. Jessie built her expertise serving for five years as director of college counseling at a Southern California boarding prep school. There, she guided students from ninth grade entry through college acceptances. Each fall, she hosted 80 college representatives on campus, and led parent information nights on topics like financial aid, athletic recruiting, and understanding the UC system. She has toured colleges from Maine to Hawaii, and visits new schools each year.
A resident of Los Angeles County, Jessie also works as a freshman admissions reader for Occidental College (Oxy) in LA, evaluating 500 applications a year. She brings this inside perspective to her college-counseling and essay-coaching clients.
Families appreciate Jessie’s nuanced understanding of selective college admissions, as well as her encouraging style, calm optimism, and clear process. She considers it a privilege to work with teenagers, and share her insights with them. For Jessie, college admissions is best approached holistically, keeping student wellbeing at the center.
Prior to Galin, she held a variety of positions in California private schools including director of communications, fundraiser, and history teacher. Earlier in her career, she founded a PR firm in San Francisco, and ran ESL classes for an international student organization. One of her favorite experiences was teaching English in Slovakia, where her middle-aged students had been learning English from Beatles albums.
Jessie is a member of NACAC, WACAC, and CHADD (Children and Adults with ADD) and she has special fondness for students who have overcome learning challenges. She attended the 2019 IECA summer conference at Claremont McKenna College, and enjoys writing on education issues. She has two teenage sons. Her hobbies include bass guitar, running, tennis, gardening, books, coffee, and real bread.
St. Lawrence University- BS Psychology
Canisius College- MS Counseling Education
Canisius College- MS Counseling Education
Kara is a certified school counselor for the state of Florida who takes pride in helping students find the perfect college fit. Currently, she is an experienced college advisor at a private school in South Florida where she focuses mainly on helping students with course selection, assisting with the formation of balanced college lists and testing plans, college application/essay editing, and creating individualized pathways to meet the students' goals. She meets regularly with parents and students to ensure that everyone involved in the process is well informed and on track, and presents at various virtual and in person events.
Kara is a member of NACAC and SACAC, and is a firm believer in consistent professional development. She regularly attends/chaperones college tours across the United States, hosts college informational sessions, and builds relationships with college representatives.
Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Kara moved to Florida in 2014 to enjoy life under the sun. Mom of 3 active boys and 2 boisterous French Bulldogs, she loves good food, attending sports events, going on weekend jogs, and occasionally binging on the latest Netflix series. She is excited to join the Galin community while continuing to help students and families navigate the ever changing world of college admissions.
Marquette University–B.S. Middle and Secondary Education and History
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Certification–73-725 (History) Early Adolescence/Adolescence – Lifetime License
New Skills Academy–Certified Life Coach
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Certification–73-725 (History) Early Adolescence/Adolescence – Lifetime License
New Skills Academy–Certified Life Coach
Mike is an experienced Teacher, Counselor, Coach, and Higher Education advocate. He has a passion for educational equity and access and for guiding and inspiring students on their vocational path as they become agents of change in their communities.
Mike currently serves students at a Milwaukee-area private high school as the College, Career, and Alumni Support Coordinator. In this role, he focuses on building relationships with students and helping them navigate post-secondary options to ensure they leave ready for their chosen college or career as many are the first in their family to go to college. Prior to this role, Mike served as a Classroom Teacher and Soccer Coach and was awarded Educator of the Year in 2018.
Prior to his work within high schools, Mike served as an Admissions Counselor at Marquette University where he advised and recruited a diverse class of prospective students from Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Throughout his time at Marquette, Mike served as the Liaison to the College of Education and Coordinator of the Youth Options Dual Enrollment Program. He represented Marquette on college panels throughout the country and taught multiple college application workshops, tailored to the needs of students, and emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy in the college search process.
A native of St. Louis, MO, Mike currently lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his family. He is an avid fan of many sports teams (St. Louis Cardinals + Blues, Marquette Golden Eagles, Milwaukee Bucks, and Green Bay Packers), and a lover of all STL BBQ.
(Based in Madison, WI – works with students throughout the country)
St. Olaf College, BA Psychology
Western Illinois University, MS College Student Counseling Personnel
St. Olaf College, BA Psychology
Western Illinois University, MS College Student Counseling Personnel
A Madison native, Pat has been in the field of higher education for the last 12 years. Most recently, Pat served as Director of Admission at Beloit College where he oversaw domestic enrollment and recruitment. Pat enjoyed reading and assessing college applications, working with athletic coaches, and translating the financial aid process. During his time at Beloit, Pat helped to create two of the largest enrollment classes in the College’s 174-year history. Now at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Pat works with the Division of Continuing Studies in the development of enrollment strategies for the University's accelerated graduate programs.
Pat earned his M.S. in College Student Personnel at Western Illinois University where he focused his studies on the college sophomore slump, men’s development, and students with learning disabilities. Since graduate school, Pat has presented at colleges and national conferences across the country. Pat’s wife, Jen, serves as the Director of Student Engagement at Beloit College where she helps to develop the College's emerging student leaders. Pat and Jen spend their free time attending Badger hockey games and playing with their 3-year old son, Ollie.
Northwestern University – B.S./M.S., journalism
Paula loves working with students and families throughout the college search and application process to identify good-fit colleges where students can thrive. She especially enjoys helping students discover more about who they are and what they seek, and witnessing their growth throughout the journey.
Before joining Galin, Paula worked as an independent marketing communications writer and editor, helping clients (including higher education institutions such as the University of Chicago, American University and Marquette University) differentiate their offerings, highlight their strengths and communicate their successes. She has been a volunteer college essay coach and is finishing the University of California-Irvine certificate program in Independent Educational Consulting.
Paula hails from suburban Minneapolis and attended the University of Minnesota as a high-school senior through the state’s Post-Secondary Enrollment Options program. After completing Northwestern’s accelerated master’s degree program in journalism, she worked at public relations firms in Chicago and Washington, D.C., as well as in corporate communications. She and her family have lived in Shorewood, Wis.,near the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, since 2006. Paula is also a volunteer with the Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program through Kids Matter Inc., supporting kids in the child welfare system.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: M.Ed in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership
University of Alabama: BA in History and Chinese
University of Alabama: BA in History and Chinese
With over thirteen years of experience working in admissions, college counseling, advising, recruitment, and program management, Susan is dedicated to assisting students and families from a range of backgrounds with navigating the college process successfully and holistically. At UW-Madison, Susan helped to oversee the selection of undergraduate and transfer students and has recruited at high schools nationally and internationally. Susan also taught at a private high school in the Bahamas and worked for several years as an academic and international advisor at two public research universities. Susan is passionate about helping young adults pursue their higher education goals, and through her professional expertise, provides an insider’s view of selective admissions. Since her time working in higher education, Susan has spent several years helping students gain admission to universities and colleges where they can thrive.
When she's not counseling students, Susan enjoys spending time with her family, touring universities and colleges, and doing therapy volunteering with her two Golden retrievers.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.A., English Literature with Certificate in Education & Educational Services
Grace grew up in rural Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison. At UW-Madison, she studied English and education and worked in a residential learning community overseeing programming and seminar courses designed to help first-year students be successful in college. Grace spent two summers advising undecided and exploring students at UW-Madison’s new student orientation program. She also worked with a college access nonprofit called Matriculate for three years, mentoring high-achieving, low-to-moderate-income high school students through all aspects of their college application process.
She loves helping to take the uncertainties out of students’ college applications! In her free time, Grace enjoys reading, baking, and playing with her cat.
Graduate Admissions Counselors
Galin Education’s Graduate Admissions Consultants work with clients to navigate the complex world of graduate school admissions. Consultants bring their years of experience guiding students through the process of searching for and applying to the programs that will best meet their personal and professional goals.
Jen Earls (she/hers) has over 6 years of pre-medical advising experience, namely at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA where she advised hundreds of applicants on applying to MD, MD-PhD, and DO programs nationwide with a 96% acceptance rate. She is also trained as a Professional Career Counselor and has a 360Reach Personal Branding Certification; she leverages her specialized expertise to help applicants gain the essential experiences, skills and confidence they need to be prepared to apply and successfully articulate their experiences in medical school applications and interviews. She holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education Administration from Suffolk University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Tufts University. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, meditating and spending time in the mountains of Asheville, NC with her husband.
Faculty member at University of Wisconsin and former member of MD/PhD Admissions
Harvard University, A.B. cum laude Biopsychology
University of California at San Diego, Ph.D. in Neurosciences
Dr. Bakshi grew up in the Boston area, studied psychology at Harvard University, and then moved to California to earn her Ph.D. in Neuroscience at UCSD. For the past 20 years, she has been at UW-Madison and is a tenured faculty member in the School of Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Bakshi has been very active in graduate education and training, teaching in several courses for M.D. students, Ph.D. students, and medical residents and fellows. She runs an internationally known lab studying the brain mechanisms of mental illness, and has mentored numerous trainees at all levels on their research projects. She has extensive experience with admissions to M.D./Ph.D. and Ph.D. programs, having served on the Medical Scientist Training Program Admissions Committee at UW-Madison and also participating in admissions / recruitment for various Ph.D. programs in biomedical sciences. Over the past two decades, she has reviewed applications and conducted admissions interviews for approximately 400 applicants to these programs. Dr. Bakshi also oversees undergraduate admissions interviews in the state of Wisconsin for students applying to Harvard.
What Dr. Bakshi enjoys most is working with students at different stages of their education and helping them discern their professional passion. She has advised numerous students on choosing what type of graduate program (M.D., M.D./Ph.D., Ph.D. in STEM or biomedical fields), might be a good fit for them and which course of action would provide the best preparation for their ultimate career goals. Dr. Bakshi leads several national scientific committees that propose best practices for promoting women in science and in recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce in biomedical and STEM fields. She serves on the steering committees for multiple newer dual-degree graduate programs, including Ph.D./J.D. and Ph.D./M.P.A. programs at UW-Madison. She also is the very proud mother of two teenage girls, who themselves are on their own higher education journeys.
Former Assistant Director at University of Wisconsin's Center for Pre-Law Advising
Clark University, B.A. International Development
Clark University, Masters of Public Administration
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Juris Doctorate
Caroline is a graduate of Benjamin N. Cardozo Law School in New York City where she focused on Immigration Law. While at Cardozo, Caroline served as a Senior Editor for the Moot Court Honor Society and participated in the Kathryn O. Greenberg Immigration Justice Clinic. Caroline has been admitted to practice in both New York and Wisconsin and is a member of the Wisconsin State Bar. Prior to law school, Caroline worked for the Clinton Foundation in New York and Rwanda. She earned a B.A. International Development and an M.P.A. from Clark University.
Caroline has a deep passion for expanding access to legal education in the legal profession. She has spent half of her legal career developing expertise in the law school admissions process. Caroline believes that with support and guidance, a legal career is in reach for anyone willing to work hard to reach their goals. In addition to working with Galin, Caroline is also the Assistant Director at the Center for Pre-Law Advising at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a practicing attorney with a Madison-based immigration firm.
Former Director of Admission at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Rutgers University- Douglass College BA Sociology
Monmouth University MA Liberal Studies
Meryle has over thirty years’ experience advising prospective applicants and re-applicants as they navigate the admissions process. She served as Director of Admissions at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical school where she was responsible for all aspects of the admissions office. Meryle was instrumental for the early implementation of the Multiple Mini-Interview format at her institution and serves as an excellent resource for MMI strategies. She has experience working with BA/BS MD applicants and international applicants. In addition to her role as Director of Admissions she served as manager for the Office of Education, working with current medical school students, faculty and staff.
Upon retirement she joined a medical school consulting firm on the east coast for over six years. Meryle has a long-standing passion for engaging with students as they experience the highs and lows of their journey toward medicine by providing supportive and honest assessments.
Meryle and her husband live in southeastern North Carolina with their dog Callie. Meryle enjoys book clubs, daily work outs, puzzles, outdoor activities, and is trying to learn golf.
Former Director of Admissions at University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh – BS Journalism
George Washington University – MA Education and Human Development
Throughout the course of her career Jane has gained a variety of higher education experiences at both public and private universities on the east coast and in the Midwest. She has advised prospective and current students at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including international applicants. More recently, she served as the Director of MD Admissions at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
Jane feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to guide students at various stages of their education (high school, undergraduate, graduate, and pre-professional). She understands that each of these groups have specific and unique needs, allowing her to offer supportive and useful techniques while they navigate the application process. Jane also enjoys working with individuals who may have graduated a while ago, but are seeking a career change that will allow them to reach their personal and life goals.
Jane and her husband live in Madison WI with their rescue dog, Stickley. She loves reading, trivia and word games, hiking and traveling (she and her husband especially like visiting Eastern Europe).
Former PreHealth Advisor at University of Illinois-Chicago and Academic Advisor at Midwestern University
Miami University – B.S. Middle Childhood Education
DePaul University – M.Ed. Counseling (College Student Development & Community Counseling)
Rachel was born and raised in Madison, WI. After graduating from Miami University (Ohio), she spent four years teaching middle school in Atlanta, GA before returning to the Midwest to earn a master’s degree in counseling and begin her career in higher education in the Chicagoland area.
Rachel has over a decade of experience working in higher education – working with both undergraduate and graduate/professional school students. As a pre-health advisor, Rachel advised students applying to professional healthcare-related programs and taught an undergraduate ‘Exploring Healthcare Careers’ course. Most recently, Rachel served as a learning specialist for a graduate/professional healthcare school where she provided academic and executive functioning support and coaching to students. With experience in career counseling, pre-health advising, learning support/coaching, and teaching, Rachel is passionate about supporting and empowering students to meet their academic and career goals and she is thrilled to be working with Galin students and families.
Rachel lives in the Chicagoland area with her husband, two kids, and two dogs. She enjoys traveling, playing tennis, and spending time with family and friends.
Tutors, Editors, and Coaches
Our team of tutors, editors, and coaches works with students one-on-one to build upon their strengths and address their challenges for AP exams, ACT, SAT and college admissions essays.
Central Michigan University, Bachelor of Science in Psychology
University of Wisconsin - Madison, Graduate student in Educational Specialist School Psychology Program
University of Wisconsin - Madison, Graduate student in Educational Specialist School Psychology Program
Abbi grew up in Middleville, Michigan and continued her education in the Great Lake State at Central Michigan University where she earned her BS in Psychology. During her time at Central Michigan University, Abbi was on a behavioral analysis research team where she studied human and animal behavior. Additionally, Abbi conducted research within the Family Studies department at CMU, looking at multicultural education for early childhood classrooms. Abbi is a first generation college student and graduating college is something she is very proud of. She hopes to inspire other first generation college students at Galin and in her future career to pursue their goals of higher education.
After graduation, Abbi moved to Madison to pursue her Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. She hopes to work with K-12 students one day, ensuring they are getting the necessary support in school for them to be successful. Abbi is loving her time in Madison and enjoys going on walks by the lakes, shopping at local markets, and enjoying the great things that Madison has to offer.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - BA History
Washington University in St Louis - MA Social Studies Education
Northern Illinois University - MEd Reading
Washington University in St Louis - MA Social Studies Education
Northern Illinois University - MEd Reading
Adrienne grew up in the Chicago suburbs and attended University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign for a BA in History. After deciding she wanted to be a Social Studies teacher, she attended Washington University in St Louis for her secondary education certification. Upon graduating from Washington University, Adrienne taught at a large public high school in the Chicago area for 18 years, teaching Social Studies classes. She also later received a Masters degree in Reading and Literacy education and worked with fellow teachers as a literacy and instructional coach to incorporate more reading strategies in their classrooms.
Since relocating to Madison, Wisconsin, Adrienne has continued her career in education, both as a Social Studies teacher and a Reading Interventionist. Throughout her career, she has enjoyed working with students to help them achieve their highest potential. In her free time, Adrienne enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, reading, and cooking.
Calvin University, B.A., English
University of Notre Dame, M.F.A., Creative Writing
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Ph.D., Literature and Creative Writing
University of Notre Dame, M.F.A., Creative Writing
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Ph.D., Literature and Creative Writing
Born in South Korea, Ae Hee grew up in Peru and now lives in Milwaukee. She graduated from Calvin University with a bachelor’s degree in honors English and minors in ESL and writing. She went to earn a M.F.A in creative writing from the University of Notre Dame, where she was awarded an Academy of American Poets Prize. Ae Hee is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Distinguished
Dissertation Fellow. In her time at the university, she has taught composition and creative writing classes and worked as the Associate Editor for the university’s literary magazine Cream City Review. In her free time, Ae Hee enjoys playing with her cat, cooking, drinking tea very slowly, reading, and writing poetry.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, BA Communication Sciences and Disorders, Leadership
Cardinal Stritch University, MA Inclusive Education
Cardinal Stritch University, MA Inclusive Education
Alanna grew up in the Milwaukee area and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Leadership, as well as, a focus in child development. She graduated with academic distinction. Upon completing her undergraduate degree, Alanna moved back to the Milwaukee area to begin a graduate school program in education. Alanna graduated from Cardinal Stritch University with a masters of arts in Inclusive Education. Alanna has worked for Glendale-River Hills School District with middle school aged students and worked in the School District of Waukesha.
Alanna currently teaches elementary special education for the Whitefish Bay School District. In addition, Alanna is passionate about all students having access to STEM education and spends some of her free time coaching and mentoring middle school and high school level robotics teams. Alanna believes that all children should be met where their learning needs are and that they should receive the support they need to be successful.
Purdue University, BS, Biology
University of Wisconsin-Madison, MS, Cellular and Molecular Biology
University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD (in progress), Cellular and Molecular Biology
University of Wisconsin-Madison, MS, Cellular and Molecular Biology
University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD (in progress), Cellular and Molecular Biology
Alex grew up in a northwest suburb of Chicago and attended Purdue University, where she graduated with honors. At Purdue, Alex was a member of the Women in Science Program and TA'd for multiple biology courses. After graduation, she moved to Maryland and completed a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health exploring lymphatic system development.
Alex is now pursuing her PhD at UW-Madison, where she is studying how different cell types in the skin interact with each other to promote wound healing and regeneration. She also is a member of Madison Women in Science and her program's outreach club. In her free time, Alex enjoys hanging out with her dog (Auggie) and cat (Mya), playing on various Madison intramural sports teams, learning cello, gardening, and playing board games with friends.
University of Wisconsin - Madison, BS, Community and Nonprofit Leadership
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, MS, Educational Psychology
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, MS, Educational Psychology
After spending two years living in Minneapolis working in the nonprofit sector, Alex returned to Milwaukee, where he was born and raised. At this time, he worked in several capacities in education serving as both a student supervisor and soccer coach, while completing his graduate studies. Currently, he is a school counselor at a local area high school. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing soccer, and being outside in his free time.
Ali was born and raised in New York. Growing up right outside of the city, she fell in love with creative writing, theater and music at a young age. After transferring from the University of California, Santa Barbara, she began majoring in journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a concentration in reporting. She graduated in May 2020 with two additional minors in digital studies and theatre.
As an editor for her student paper at UW, Ali helped her peers with storytelling, writing techniques and copy editing — all things she likes to work on with students when writing college essays. After graduating, she worked as a watchdog reporter in northcentral Wisconsin, covering local and state government for USA TODAY-Wisconsin, and as the State Capitol Intern for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She currently is the local government reporter for the Cap Times in Madison.
Ali helps each student achieve their best college essay by meeting them where they are and focusing on where they want to go. In her free time, Ali likes to write poetry, run along Lake Monona, watch Audrey Hepburn films and make macaroni and cheese (from the box).
Carleton College, BA Chemistry
University of Wisconsin-Madison, MS Environment & Resources
University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD Chemistry
University of Wisconsin-Madison, MS Environment & Resources
University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD Chemistry
Allie graduated summa cum laude from Carleton College (Northfield, MN) with a B.A. in chemistry. She then returned to the Madison area (she grew up nearby in Mazomanie, WI) and completed both a Master's degree in environmental studies and a Ph.D. in chemistry.
She has been a test prep and subject tutor at Galin Education since 2013, specializing in ACT prep, PSAT/SAT prep, AP Chemistry, AP Precalc, and math/chemistry/Spanish subject tutoring. During her time at Galin Education, she has found great joy in building relationships with students and tuning her teaching methods to fit students' needs. She enjoys celebrating with students when they reach (and often exceed) their goals after months of prepping together.
In her free time, Allie enjoys any activity in nature, tinkering/troubleshooting tech devices, traveling, doing independent research, and photography.
University of Chicago, BS Biological Sciences
University of Wisconsin – Madison, MD (in progress)
University of Wisconsin – Madison, PhD (in progress) in Biomedical Engineering
University of Wisconsin – Madison, MD (in progress)
University of Wisconsin – Madison, PhD (in progress) in Biomedical Engineering
Alissa grew up in Greenwood, IN, and attended the University of Chicago where she graduated with honors. While at UChicago, Alissa discovered her passion for research—leading her to spend much of her time working on clinical research with the Department of Nephrology as well as basic science research in a neuroscience lab. After completing her undergraduate degree, Alissa did two years of full-time research while also serving as a tutor for students from underserved populations in Chicago. Alissa is now pursuing her M.D/PhD at UW-Madison. During her PhD phase, she plans to join a nanomedicine and drug delivery lab where she will research novel drug delivery approaches that can be used to more specifically target disease mechanisms.
In her free time, Alissa enjoys staying active—especially through weightlifting, cycling, and climbing. She also loves gardening and curling up with her two cats to read or play video games.
Truman State University, B. S., Communication Disorders
University of Wisconsin-Madison, M.S., Communication Sciences and Disorders
University of Wisconsin-Madison, M.S., Communication Sciences and Disorders
Ama grew up in the Kansas City area through high school, then attended Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri for an undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders. While at Truman State, Ama also played ultimate frisbee and led groups within a spiritual organization.
Ama moved to Madison, Wisconsin for graduate school to earn a Master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorder, which she currently uses as a speech-language pathologist in an area school district.
Outside of school and work, Ama appreciates spending time in the sun, listening/singing to music, reality TV, and devouring a good fiction tale.
Purdue University, B.S. Chemical Engineering
University of Wisconsin - Madison, M.S. Statistics & Data Science
University of Wisconsin - Madison, M.S. Statistics & Data Science
Angela grew up in Mason, OH, about 30 minutes outside of Cincinnati. She attended Purdue University where she completed her B.S. in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics in May 2019. Upon graduation, she worked for Kimberly Clark for two years as a product developer before deciding to pursue her M.S. in Statistics and Data Science. Over time, she has built up 3+ years of experience as a tutor for subjects varying from thermodynamics to algebra. In her free time, Angela enjoys the conflicting hobbies of baking and working out.
Clemson University, BFA, Visual Arts
School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston at Tufts University, MFA, Interdisciplinary Fine Art
School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston at Tufts University, MFA, Interdisciplinary Fine Art
Ashley began her career in education designing curricula for an arts education non-profit in the Boston area while studying art and poetry at SMFA/Tufts University. After completing her graduate degree, she went on to earn her teaching credentials from the Sizer Teachers Center while developing interdisciplinary arts and ELA courses at the Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School in Devens, MA. In addition to her experience as a full-time classroom educator, Ashley has directed visual arts and creative writing after-school and pre-college programs for students in grades 7-12.
Ashley grew up in Charleston, SC and lived in Boston, San Francisco, and London before moving to Madison with her husband and two cats.
University of Wisconsin–Madison, PhD Student, Psychology
Ben is originally from Andover, Massachusetts. He received his bachelor’s degree from
Kenyon College in Ohio where he graduated with honors in psychology and a concentration in
English. While at Kenyon, Ben was the president of a local tutoring organization (the Partnership
of East Knox and Kenyon College) where he tutored middle and high school students in math
and English. After graduating from Kenyon, Ben worked at Standford’s Graduate School of
Business as a research coordinator in the Behavioral Lab. While working in the Behavioral Lab,
Ben discovered his interest in human decision making. In 2020 Ben joined the Brauer Group Lab
at UW–Madison to research how social psychology could help us better understand (and
mitigate) anthropogenic climate change. As a PhD student, Ben was a teaching assistant for the
undergraduate introduction to psychology and research methods courses as well as the graduate level statistics course. In his free time, Ben enjoys playing videogames, cross country skiing, and biking around Madison.
University of Wisconsin – Madison, BS, Biochemistry and Neurobiology
University of Wisconsin – Madison, Certificate, Health and the Humanities
Beth grew up in Middleton, Wisconsin and received her Bachelor’ degree in biochemistry
and neurobiology from UW-Madison. In her senior year, she served as a math, science, and
reading comprehension tutor at West High School. She is currently a Research Technician
in a lab at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health investigating the intersects of
immunology and transplant surgery. She hopes to eventually attend dental school. In her
free time, Beth enjoys swimming, skiing, hammocking, and walking around Madison.
University of Wisconsin- La Crosse, B.S., Biology, Minor in Neuroscience.
Christina grew up an hour east of the Twin Cities and attended the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse. At La Crosse, she studied Biology with plans to work in the healthcare field. She found she really enjoyed chemistry. She worked as a chemistry tutor in the Murphy Learning Center, as well as a tutor for Upward Bound, a college readiness program for high school students. Other involvements during her time at UWL included participating in the Healthcare Case Competition with Wisconsin Area Health Education Centers, helping construct and distribute My Maroon Apron Meal kits at UWL (free paper bag meal kits for college students), volunteering at HorseSense (therapeutic horseback riding for veterans and individuals with disabilities), and the serving on the officer team of the UWL Eta Phi Alpha Honor Society as Secretary and Vice President. She worked as a certified nursing assistant and clinical research fellow in the summers between academic years.
When it comes to healthcare related fields, Christina has a lot of experience, and can offer some guidance to students interested in fields such as medicine, nursing, dentistry, and many allied health professions. In her free time, Christina enjoys hiking, cooking, crafting, and spending time with family and friends.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, BS Human Development & Family Studies
Valparaiso University, MS Healthcare Administration
Valparaiso University, MS Healthcare Administration
Crystina grew up in a small suburb of Chicago called Lemont, IL. After graduating high school, she moved to Wisconsin to attend UW-Madison and earned her bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies. Aside from her coursework, she worked as a tutor for children with developmental disabilities and as a before and after school teacher at a local grade school. She moved back to the Chicago area for a few months after graduation before going off on a 6 month adventure to Sydney, Australia to work as an Au Pair. After returning to the U.S., she pursued a career and master's degree in healthcare administration. She currently works as an analyst at UW Health, helping to improve and optimize healthcare access for patients. She loves to teach and help others, and in her free time you can find her out in nature with her dog, Barkley, doing yoga, or traveling the world.
Northwestern University, BA Political Science and Slavic Languages and Literature
University of Wisconsin-Madison, MPA Public Affairs
University of Wisconsin-Madison, MPA Public Affairs
Dan has been an ACT and SAT test prep tutor with Galin since 2013. Dan grew up near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and in high school was a National Merit Semifinalist. He attended Northwestern University, and during his junior year spent a summer studying abroad in Prague. After graduating from Northwestern, Dan moved to Chicago, where he worked as a paralegal at a consumer rights firm. Dan then moved to Madison to pursue his master's degree at the La Follette School of Public Affairs at UW-Madison. Currently, Dan works at UW-Madison with the Wisconsin Evaluation Collaborative (WEC) within the Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER). There, he conducts qualitative and quantitative research and program evaluation for K-12 projects and initiatives in schools and districts across the state and region. Outside of work and tutoring, he enjoys traveling with his wife and family, watching and playing sports, cooking, and reading about politics, current events, and history.
University of Wisconsin – Madison, BS, Psychology
University of Wisconsin – Madison, Certificate, Mathematics
University of Wisconsin – Madison, MSW, Mental Health Focus Area (In Progress)
University of Wisconsin – Madison, Certificate, Mathematics
University of Wisconsin – Madison, MSW, Mental Health Focus Area (In Progress)
Ella was born and raised in Albania. She immigrated to the United States with her parents and older brother in 2010. Learning a new language was initially very challenging and even discouraging at times, especially as related to academics. After overcoming some of the initial hurdles, Ella was able to graduate high school and attend the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She initially studied Computer Science and Mathematics, which is when she earned her certification in Mathematics. She has always excelled and enjoyed Mathematics but realized her interests leaned more towards helping others in a more direct way. Ella shifted her academic path to Psychology and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in just 3.5 years, becoming a first-generation college graduate. She is continuing her education in the upcoming Fall 2023 at the University of Wisconsin – Madison by pursuing a Master of Social Work with a mental health focus area. Ella hopes to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and practice therapeutic services among teenage and youth populations. Ella shares a particular interest in serving underrepresented populations and working with youth in the state and federal criminal justice system. In her free time, Ella enjoys partaking in many creative outlets such as painting, reading (mostly educational self-help books), cooking, and hiking. She always loves to watch, and sometimes rewatch, her favorite shows and movies. Most importantly, she enjoys taking care of her endearing 3-year-old Pitbull mix rescue named Gigi!
Princeton University, B.A. Psychology
University of Wisconsin-Madison, M.S. Psychology
University of Wisconsin-Madison, M.S. Psychology
Ellie grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina until she moved to New Jersey to attend Princeton University for college. Ellie graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and certificates in Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, and Linguistics. While at Princeton, Ellie served as a peer tutor in statistics and worked as a research assistant in a Developmental Psychology lab studying early language acquisition.
Now, Ellie is in graduate school at UW-Madison. Ellie earned her Master's degree in Developmental Psychology and is currently pursing her PhD. At UW-Madison, Ellie is also completing a graduate certificate in Teaching and Learning and works as a lead teacher for the Odyssey Junior Project, a non-profit program that provides early childhood education opportunities for under-resourced families in the Madison area.
In her free time, Ellie enjoys running, baking, and spending time at the lake with her dog.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, BS, Biochemistry
University of Wisconsin-Madison, MS (in progress), Curriculum and Instruction - Secondary Science Education
Emily grew up in New Berlin, Wisconsin before attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison for her undergraduate degree. During her time at UW, she was actively involved in undergraduate research and on-campus organizations, notably the Peer Learning Association, which focused on tutoring undergraduate students through core science courses. Her love for fostering student engagement in difficult science courses led her to pursue a master’s degree in secondary science education. Upon graduation, Emily hopes to teach Advanced Placement (AP) level Chemistry and Biology classes.
Emily shares a particular interest in growing academic confidence in students that have historically disliked school. She believes that all students have the ability to succeed, they just need an academic plan that addresses their individual needs.
In her free time, Emily enjoys running on trails near Lake Mendota and relaxing watching her favorite TV show.
The University of Texas at Austin, B.A. in International Relations and Global Studies
Emma grew up in Austin, Texas and attended The University of Texas at Austin (hook ‘em!) for her Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Global Studies. Her coursework focused on International Security and Eastern European studies. While at UT Austin, Emma worked as a math tutor for grades K-12 and found her passion for education.
After graduating in 2021, Emma ended up in Wisconsin and began working as a substitute teacher in Milwaukee-area schools. She is currently pursuing her secondary teaching certificate through the act! Program at UW Oshkosh and hopes to teach high school history or geography. She also hopes to eventually pursue a Master’s degree in Education.
In her free time, Emma loves running, baking and cooking vegetarian food, learning new languages, and traveling!
Purdue University, BS, Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology
University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD (in progress), Cellular and Molecular Biology
University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD (in progress), Cellular and Molecular Biology
Ena grew up in Indianapolis, IN and attended Purdue University where she graduated with honors. While at Purdue, Ena discovered her passion for virology research, working on Dengue and Zika flaviviruses. This led her to a two-year posbaccalaureate research position at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland, where she studied the molecular virology of noroviruses. Following her interests, Ena is now working on her PhD at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Cellular and Molecular Biology program, where she studies host immune escape of coronaviruses. In addition, Ena participates as a TA for the undergraduate virology course at UW-Madison and is involved in her program's outreach club. In her free time, Ena enjoys long-distance running, climbing, learning guitar, playing with her cat (Winnie) and cooking with friends.
Montana State University, B.S. Elementary Education, B.S. Secondary Science Education
Montana State University, M.S. Science Education
Montana State University, M.S. Science Education
Erika was born and raised in Montana and earned her degrees in education from Montana State University. Right after graduation, she began teaching middle school math and science and happily did that for four years until she had the opportunity to move to France. After fifteen amazing months in the French Alps working on her master’s degree, she jumped at the chance to live in Kenya where she assisted with a research project on lions and hyenas. Once the project ended and she was back in the United States, Erika returned to the classroom to teach seventh grade math. The following year, it was time to fill the moving boxes once again and she made the move from Montana to Arizona. In Tucson, Erika worked as an academic coach at the University of Arizona helping students on academic probation at risk of being dismissed from the university because of their low GPAs. She also worked closely with students who tested below college level math, both as an academic coach and as an adjunct faculty member at Pima Community College. She loved her work and continued it until her second child was born, at which point she made the decision to stay at home to raise her son and daughter. Erika’s final move happened in 2019 when she landed in Laramie, Wyoming, where she now lives with her husband and children. In her spare time, Erika loves spending time outdoors with her family, especially when they are hiking, skiing, biking, canoeing or camping.
Erin is new to Madison after living in Milwaukee for the past 6 years. She attended Marquette University for undergrad and received her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology & Law Studies with a minor in Psychology. After working two years with City Year Milwaukee assisting a 5th and 6th grade classroom, she is here in Madison to receive her Master of Curriculum & Instruction. Upon graduation, she will be certified to teach middle and high school in Wisconsin.
Erin loves to read, watch plays and musicals, collect funky sweaters, and travel - she has been to 9 countries!
Tulane University- BS in Finance
Teaching has long been a passion of mine – in college, I tutored students in calculus and statistics; at Epic, I taught people how to use medical software, and at my current job as a data analyst, I continue to mentor and advise.
I love solving math and logic problems and I believe that anyone, regardless of where their natural interests and abilities lie, can benefit from sharpening their abstract reasoning skills. I also believe that strong writing skills are essential for communicating one's ideas.
My job involves using statistics, behavioral analysis, and natural language processing to make financial services companies more profitable.
Outside of work, I enjoy playing soccer and tennis, hiking, and reading. I'm originally from New Jersey and went to college in New Orleans, but so far living in Madison is my favorite.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Graduate Student in Curriculum and Instruction for Secondary Science Education
Georgetown University, Bachelor of Science in Biology of Global Health; Minor in African American Studies
Eve grew up in Indianapolis, IN before moving to Washington, DC for her Bachelor’s degree in Biology of Global Health. The goal of this program was to combine training in biological sciences with interdisciplinary studies in order to address health issues at a local, national, and international level. While in school, Eve was a Teaching Assistant for the Foundations in Biology course, and supplemented her academic studies with internships at public health related organizations in DC. After graduation, Eve remained in DC for a year where she worked at a capacity building nonprofit aimed at advancing effective HIV, Hepatitis, LGBTQ+, and harm reduction related healthcare.
Eve moved to Madison, WI in 2021 to work with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County as a College Enrollment Coach. In this role, she worked with students in the AVID program at Vel Phillips Memorial and LaFollette High Schools where she fell in love with education. She loves getting to know students on a personal level and working with them to achieve their goals. In the summer of 2023, Eve began a Master’s program in Curriculum and Instruction at UW-Madison. Her aim is to become a middle or high school science teacher.
In her free time, Eve enjoys baking, playing with her cat, Clementine, gardening on her balcony, and exploring Madison on her bike.
Beloit College, BA International Relations and Chinese Language and Culture, minor in Anthropology
Gabby is a Madisonian through and through! She grew up on the west side of Madison, WI, where she attended Memorial High School; however, she spent her senior year of high school abroad in Taipei, Taiwan. She completed her undergraduate degree in Beloit at Beloit College, graduating as one of two female students in her class with a 4.0.
During her time at Beloit, Gabby found a passion for education. Her freshman year she became a writing center tutor, and then at the start of her sophomore year she began working in the city school district as an AVID tutor at Aldrich Middle School and Beloit Memorial High School. Her involvement further expanded her junior year when she began serving the Beloit community as an Upward Bound Mentor.
After graduating she returned to Madison for work until she was accepted as a Fulbright Grantee to Taiwan. From 2022-2023, Gabby taught elementary school students English and STEAM in Taitung, Taiwan.
Having just come home, Gabby is excited to refamiliarize herself with the Madison community, and is currently working as a special education assistant at Emerson Elementary.
In her free time, Gabby enjoys reading, volleyball, tennis, walking her dogs, and building out her new soon-to-be home on wheels with her partner.
Emerson College, BFA. Writing, Literature and Publishing
University of Wisconsin-Madison, MFA. Poetry
University of Wisconsin-Madison, MFA. Poetry
Gabby grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida. She received her BFA in Writing, Literature and Publishing at Emerson College where she spent much of her time interning at different literary agencies and publishing houses throughout Boston. She then went on to complete her MFA in Poetry at The University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she currently teaches Introduction to Composition. Gabby continues to work on her poetry, which has appeared in River Styx, Waxwing, and The Colorado Review.
Davidson College - BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
Wake Forest University - MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (ongoing)
Wake Forest University - MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (ongoing)
Having spent her whole life in North Carolina, Genevieve is thrilled to now be in Madison! During her time in undergrad at Davidson College, she was Mock Trial captain and treasurer, and graduated magna cum laude with honors in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. Now, she is pursuing her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Wake Forest University. She has previously worked with students at Duke University’s Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP), and has worked as a tutor since 2019. In her free time, she hosts a podcast on positive reinforcement horse training and enjoys going on long walks with her dog, Rupert.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA Political Science and Global Studies
University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD Candidate Sociology
University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD Candidate Sociology
Griffin is originally from Kansas City, Missouri and attended UNC-Chapel Hill for his undergraduate studies. He was a DJ at the student radio station, WXYC, and a volunteer with Student Action with Workers, a social justice group on campus. He graduated with highest honors in Global Studies (awarded for an outstanding thesis in the area of international political economy). He worked as a freelance tutor and labor organizer for several years after college. He is currently in the Sociology program at UW. In his free time, he enjoys playing the guitar, trail runs with his partner Caitlin, and walking his dog Eleanor.
BS History, Economics & Secondary Education UW-Madison
MS Special Education UW-Madison
MS Special Education UW-Madison
Jay, though born in Madison, grew up in Whitefish Bay, WI. and then moved back to Madison for his college education. He enjoyed Madison life and found a challenging education career, so Madison became home. After a couple years as a substitute teacher, he joined the staff at La Follette High School and worked in the Special Education Dept. with a focus on teaching English and reading strategies for students with dyslexia. Besides his teaching duties, Jay had a private tutoring practice with a focus on reading and math, which led to a tutoring position in the UW-Madison Athletic Dept. Subsequently, he accepted a permanent full-time position as an Academic Specialist, which involved mentoring and tutoring student-athletes. Jay has always enjoyed the challenge of fostering students’ success. In addition to an academic life, Jay enjoys traveling, Badger sports, running, tennis and weekly trivia outings with friends.
University of Wisconsin - Madison, BS Elementary Education / Science
Jay comes to Galin following a 37 year public school career featuring 28 years teaching sixth grade followed by nine years focused on 8th grade science. Connecting those experiences were 30 years coordinating the Waunakee Summer Science Program for incoming 7th graders. This immersive, hands-on program has been considered one of Waunakee’s unique highlights. Writing and publishing curriculum and resources for other staff have been part of the journey. Upon retirement this June, Jay will join Wave Reaction in Waunakee as a trainer and member of the tech support team.
Family life in Waunakee includes his wife Denise, a third grade teacher in Waunakee and children Maddie and Ben. Maddie is a junior at Butler, and Ben is set to start his freshman year at LaCrosse this fall. Hobbies include playing electric and acoustic guitar alone and with interested others along with fishing and woodworking.
Moravian University, BS Biological Sciences
University of Pennsylvania, MA Integrated Science Education
University of Wisconsin – Madison, PhD Curriculum and Instruction in Science Education
Jeff was born and raised in New Jersey and attended Moravian University, one of the ten oldest colleges in the United States. After a number of career changes, Jeff found a passion for teaching and working toward equity and excellence in education. Settled into a decade of teaching in the Camden City District, where he began as a middle school teacher. He was later reassigned to the Brimm Medical Arts High School, where he taught a variety of classical and medical-related biology classes. While in Camden, Jeff was awarded a National Science Foundation Grant to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he completed a variety of science and mathematics courses that helped connect science and math to student sense-making skills. After ten years in Camden, Jeff moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where he substituted in a variety of schools and worked in the realm of virtual instruction. He attended the University of Wisconsin’s School of Education and coached preservice science and math teachers in various schools around Madison. Jeff recently earned his Ph.D. with his dissertation, which explored STEM education and the context of engineering across science, society, and history. In his free time, he enjoys cooking for his family and walking his dog.
Mount Olive University, B.A. English
Edgewood College, Lifetime Teaching License-English, Early Adolescence-Adolescence
Edgewood College, Lifetime Teaching License-English, Early Adolescence-Adolescence
Jenn was born on the west coast but grew up mostly on the east coast. Upon graduation, she left Connecticut as an active duty member of the United States Air Force. After spending four years as an Air Traffic Controller, she attended Mount Olive University where she majored in English. While Jenn's original plan was to continue her academic path in NC, relocation moved her to Wisconsin, where she decided to pursue her teaching license at Edgewood College.
Jenn spent 11 years teaching high school English and loved making connections with humans of all ages. While she has taken a break from the traditional classroom, Jenn continues to find ways to pursue her love of writing, literature, and building connections. She currently works throughout Wisconsin, providing individual skill development and enhancement services.
When she is not reading, you can find Jenn travelling to tropical locations, binge watching series/shows on whatever platform you can think of, and spending time with her family.
I am a National Board Certified Special Education Teacher & Reading Specialist with 26 years of experience. I have worked with a diverse community of learners at both the middle and high school level for my entire career. I worked in Seattle Washington for several years as a Highly Qualified Language Arts Teacher. I earned my masters degree at Cardinal Stritch University as well as my reading specialist license. I became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2008. I have worked for the Madison Metropolitan School District for the past four years. I currently teach at Lafollete High School as a case manager & advocate.
Literacy is my area of passion and expertise. My greatest love is teaching the process of written language. I also have an extensive background in executive functioning strategies & research and using that work to support student success in the general education setting as part of a student's post secondary goals.
When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy every moment I can with my 13 year old son, my 3 cats, and in my garden. I love being outdoors and poolside during the summer.
Northwestern University, BS Radio/TV/Film
University of Wisconsin-Madison, MA Communication Arts (Film)
University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD Communication Arts (Film)
University of Wisconsin-Madison, MA Communication Arts (Film)
University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD Communication Arts (Film)
JJ grew up in the Milwaukee area before attending Northwestern University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Radio/TV/Film. JJ continued his studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned both a master’s degree and a PhD in the Communication Arts department’s film program. His dissertation explored the history of product placement in the movies. During his time at UW-Madison, JJ taught various classes on film production, film history, and film aesthetics. In 2020, he was granted the Vance and Betty Kepley Award for excellence in teaching. Currently, JJ works as the researcher for the popular film podcast Blank Check with Griffin and David. In his free time, believe it or not, JJ enjoys watching movies, but he also likes to craft playlists of music new and old, play tennis and basketball, and tour the Madison area’s many public parks with his wife and daughter.
UW-Madison, D.M.A. Music Composition
Joachim was born in Ohio and grew up in western Pennsylvania. He earned a bachelor's degree in music composition at Brigham Young University, where he tutored ESL and worked as an undergraduate teaching assistant in introductory sociology as well as music orchestration. He also undertook several years of foreign language study, including advanced courses in Spanish, Arabic, and Persian.
After beginning his graduate studies at UW-Madison, Joachim worked for the PEOPLE Program serving for two years as an Academic Lead in English and social studies at Memorial High School. He later worked as a graduate teaching assistant at the Mead Witter School of Music for three years, followed by a semester as a TA for the Life Sciences Communication department.
Joachim loves composing music, playing piano, reading articles about science and geopolitics, and trying new recipes with his air fryer.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Graduate student in the Education Specialist School Psychology Program
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Family Studies; Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Growing up in a suburb south of Milwaukee, Jordan has always been able to call Wisconsin home. Desiring to stay a Wisconsinite, Jordan attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for her undergraduate degrees in Human Development & Family Studies and Psychology. Jordan worked as an assistant teacher in a daycare, as well as a behavior technician in ABA Therapy while in undergraduate school. To expand her work experience, Jordan moved to Minnesota following graduation to pursue work with adults and children in a hospital setting. Though she enjoyed her time in Minnesota through meeting new people and being challenged in her work, she is now returning to us here in Madison to pursue a graduate degree in School Psychology. Jordan desires to provide students with essential resources to support them in their education and overall childhood. While Jordan genuinely enjoys school, she is eager to return to Madison to enjoy the lakes and life that the city has to offer.
Marquette University, BA English and History
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, MA English Literature and Cultural Theory
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, PhD English Literature and Cultural Theory
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, MA English Literature and Cultural Theory
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, PhD English Literature and Cultural Theory
Julia grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, but fell in love with Milwaukee and has called it home since she first arrived for college. While completing her bachelor’s at Marquette, Julia was a writing tutor at the Ott Memorial Writing Center, as well as a course-embedded tutor working closely with STEM students throughout the semester to revise their writings.
After undergrad, Julia decided to stay in Milwaukee and begin graduate school at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in English literature, where she is currently in the midst of her PhD. She works at UWM as a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of English, where she teaches introductory composition and literature courses to undergraduates. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Milwaukee and traveling to different cities.
University of Southern California - BS, Industrial and Systems Engineering
Alverno College - MS, Education
Alverno College - MS, Education
Katie grew up in Bethesda, MD (right outside of Washington, DC). After graduation she moved across the country to attend the University of Southern California. While there, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering. She was also involved in tutoring elementary school students who lived near campus and sang in the University Chorus. After graduation, Katie decided to pursue her love of education and tutoring and joined Teach for America. TFA brought her to Milwaukee where she is currently in her third year as a 6th grade English Language Arts teacher. During her first two years of teaching Katie also took classes at Alverno College and earned her Master's degree in Education in May 2021. In her free time, Katie likes to be active, spend time with her family in Milwaukee, and explore new places around the city!
Iowa State University, BS Electrical Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD Electrical Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD Electrical Engineering
Keith graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a PhD in Electrical Engineering. He was a teaching assistant and lecturer during graduate school and has been tutoring students in Math and Science for many years. Currently Keith works for the UW-Madison Department of Biochemistry. Prior to that he worked at Thermo Fisher Scientific and Cameca with a focus on electron microscopy and developing advanced scientific instruments. Keith holds professional certifications in project management, is a 6-sigma black belt and a licensed patent agent. He enjoys technology development and has a passion for nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers.
University of Notre Dame, BA Anthropology and Irish Language & Literature
University of Wisconsin-Madison, MA Anthropology
University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD student in Anthropology
University of Wisconsin-Madison, MA Anthropology
University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD student in Anthropology
Kimberly is originally from the Chicago area and attended the University of Notre Dame where she received her bachelor’s in Anthropology and Irish Language and Literature. During undergraduate, she assisted in biological anthropology research involving hormones and fatherhood and archaeological research off the west coast of Ireland. In addition to her field work, she spent a semester abroad in Ireland at University College Dublin and a summer participating in language immersion in Gleann Cholm Cille, Donegal. On campus, she was involved in the Notre Dames club focused on issues that affect women both on campus and globally, as well as the Irish club.
She is a teaching assistant in the Department of Anthropology where she recently earned her Masters in Anthropology and is working towards her PhD in anthropology with her research on ceramics, foodways, and diversity in the highlands of Mexico. In her free time, she enjoys running, watching sports, and traveling with her friends.
University of Wisconsin-Madison - BA, Communication Sciences and Disorders; BA, Spanish
University of Wisconsin-Madison - MS, Speech-Language Pathology
University of Wisconsin-Madison - MS, Speech-Language Pathology
Lauren grew up in Eau Claire, WI, and she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for her bachelor’s degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Spanish. While attending the university, she was the volunteer coordinator for the university’s speech-language pathology club and worked in two research labs at the Waisman Center in the areas of Autism and bilingualism. Upon graduating, she spent half a year in Costa Rica. During this time, she lived with two host families, supported and learned from adults with disabilities, and completed an internship at the Cleft Lip and Palate Association. Lauren then completed her Master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Speech-Language Pathology. Lauren currently works as a bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist in the Madison Metropolitan School District. She is passionate about creating a team among students, families, and teachers to support her students’ academic goals. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and cooking.
University of California, Los Angeles - BS in Cognitive Science with a Specialization in Computing
University of Wisconsin-Madison - MS in Psychology
University of Wisconsin-Madison - PhD (in progress) in Psychology
University of Wisconsin-Madison - MS in Psychology
University of Wisconsin-Madison - PhD (in progress) in Psychology
Lauren grew up in Bakersfield, California where she graduated from Ridgeview High School. In college, she became fascinated by the study of cognitive psychology, specifically with better understanding how individuals think and learn. Lauren graduated summa cum laude from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in cognitive science with a specialization in computing. As an undergraduate at UCLA, she worked as a research assistant and lab manager studying problem representation in mathematics and memory strategies. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree, Lauren worked as a test prep and math tutor for a boutique tutoring company based in Santa Monica, California. She is a passionate educator who has over four years of individualized tutoring experience under her belt. Lauren enjoys partnering with students to help facilitate their educational goals, both by supporting academic success and by encouraging a growth mindset. Lauren is currently pursuing a PhD at UW-Madison where she investigates how individuals (both adults and children) engage with patterns in mathematical contexts and the influence of such experiences on both performance and problem-solving strategies. Lauren is also interested in exploring the extent to which the ability to flexibly represent number is related to conceptions of equivalence, fraction understanding, and algebraic reasoning. After completing her PhD, Lauren hopes to become a university professor and continue to advance research in the area of mathematical cognition. In her free time, Lauren enjoys rock climbing, baking, discovering new music, and hanging out with her cats, Meow and Ronald.
UW- Madison B.A. English/Journalism
Larry is a retired English teacher, spending the last 25 years of his career at Waunakee High School, just north of Madison. During his career he taught a variety of classes, including writing the initial curriculum for the English Department's AP Language and Composition class. Along with teaching the class, Larry is a long-time Reader and a recent Table Leader for the national AP Language exam. He is also a Fellow with the Greater Madison Writing Project, including working their summer ""Rise Up and Write"" camps, designed for young, aspiring writers.
Since retirement Larry mentors new teachers as a member of the Dane County New Teacher Project, works as a College Essay Coach for Galin Education, and occasionally returns to the classroom as an AP Language long-term substitute teacher.
In his free time he enjoys fly-fishing, hiking and backpacking, and wilderness canoe trips. When not wandering the woods he enjoys reading, writing, and maintaining his rural property. Larry's family includes his wife Carri, a counselor at Verona Area High School, three adult daughters, and his canine companion Tully -- a rambunctious Golden Irish (Setter-Retriever).
Texas Christian University – BS in Psychology and BS in Strategic Communication
Madeline loves working with students of all ages—in college, she taught elementary and middle school students supplementary lessons in an after-school program and today she spends her summers coaching swim team at Monona Grove. Madeline grew up and went to college in Texas, then moved up to Madison to work for Epic Systems as a project manager. There, she spent two-and-a-half years teaching medical professionals how to use new software and make key decisions on how that software was implemented. Currently, Madeline is a Master’s of Social Work student at UW-Madison focused on becoming a therapist working with children of all ages. Madeline also spends time outside of class teaching an introductory business course for UW-Madison business students in the fall. In her free time, Madeline loves reading true crime novels, playing video games on her PlayStation 5, and hanging out with her very anxious cat, Olive.
University of Pittsburgh, B.A., History
Boston University, M.A.T., Social Studies Education
University of Wisconsin — Madison, M.A., History
University of Wisconsin — Madison, Joint Ph.D. student, History and Educational Policy
Max grew up in small town Pennsylvania and earned his Master’s of Arts in Teaching at Boston University. After graduating, he taught high school history and social sciences in public schools in the Greater Boston Area for five years. Max moved to Madison in 2021 to pursue a joint Ph.D. at UW — Madison. His dissertation titled “Junior Achievement: Education and the Future of American Enterprise” focuses on the history of capitalism and business as it relates to educational programming and pedagogy in the 20th century U.S. He enjoys tackling home renovation projects in his free time where he lives with his wife and two adorable cats.
Barnard College, Columbia University - BA, Urban Studies w/ Minor in Educational Studies
Harvard Graduate School of Education - EdM, Education Policy & Management
Harvard Graduate School of Education - EdM, Education Policy & Management
Megan grew up just outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she lived until moving to New York City to attend Barnard College as an undergrad. While at Barnard, she loved getting the chance to explore NYC and to develop as a leader in a women’s college environment, and she was deeply involved in several community service and youth development organizations through Columbia University. In an effort to deepen her understanding of how educational systems operate and how best to meet students’ needs, she went on to earn her Master of Education degree in Education Policy and Management from Harvard University. Megan is a new resident to Madison after spending several years working for a college access program in Chicago, where she helped high school students from underrepresented backgrounds build the academic skills and habits needed to gain admission to and succeed at highly selective colleges.
University of Wisconsin-Madison – Current Ph.D. student in Physics
Dartmouth College – B.A. in Physics and Computer Science
Dartmouth College – B.A. in Physics and Computer Science
Merritt grew up in Wellesley, Massachusetts, where he graduated valedictorian from Wellesley High School. He went on to Dartmouth College to study physics, where he fell in love with computer science along the way and decided to pursue a double major. In college, he got his first teaching experience as a teaching assistant in a computer science class. Since graduating, Merritt worked as a software engineer before beginning graduate school at UW, where he
studies quantum computing and condensed matter physics. He’s been a T.A. for undergraduate physics and machine learning classes, and loves helping students work through hard problems. In his free time, Merritt loves skiing, mountain biking, climbing, and exploring Madison.
Washington University in St. Louis - B.S. Psychology
Michael Ge (he/him) grew up in Racine, Wisconsin, miraculously failing to ever build a resistance towards cold weather.
Michael graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, majoring in psychology with minors in writing and computer science. He focused on educational psych and technology, researching pedagogically-sound theories of feedback and retention for an ever-digitizing world while applying his research at WashU’s Writing Center. For his work helming multiple student orgs– an Asian student body umbrella group, freestyle dance team, and founding an Asian mental health conference– he was awarded a four-year capstone for excellence in leadership and community service.
Outside of tutoring, Michael works in NYC as a digital marketing consultant and web developer for minority-owned businesses and nonprofits. Michael always enjoys cooking for his partner, dancing, and pretending that he’ll clear his immense backlog of video games.
Fordham University, BA History
University of Texas at Austin, MA Russian Studies, MGPS
University of Wisconsin- Madison, PhD student in Sociology
University of Texas at Austin, MA Russian Studies, MGPS
University of Wisconsin- Madison, PhD student in Sociology
Morgan is from a city just south of Seattle, Washington. He attended Seattle University for his first two years of undergrad and then transferred to Fordham University in New York City. At Fordham, Morgan student-taught middle and high school students in math subjects from Pre-Algebra to Trigonometry. After undergrad, Morgan lived in Russia and traveled around Eastern Europe learning Russian language, culture, and history as well as meeting ambassadors and military attachés in various countries. After Russia, Morgan moved back home and tutored high school students in SAT Prep and taught high school math for a year and a half until he moved to Austin, Texas for a dual master’s degree program in Russian Studies and Global Policy Studies. During his time studying in Texas, Morgan was a teaching assistant for the history and geography departments. Currently, Morgan lives in Madison, WI as a PhD student in the sociology department at UW-Madison. In his free time, Morgan loves to watch movies (once, he went to the movie theater five times in one week), read fiction, do yoga, go hiking, workout, and discuss politics.
University of Puget Sound, BS, Molecular and Cellular Biology
University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD, Cellular and Molecular Biology
University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD, Cellular and Molecular Biology
Morgan grew up in Boise, ID where she first learned her love for the outdoors. For her undergraduate education, Morgan moved to Washington to attend the University of Puget Sound and hike in the mountains. There, she TA’d a macro-biology course, tutored fellow biology students through the Phi Sigma Biology Honors Society, and worked with local elementary students in a weekly reading program. Morgan also conducted student research during her junior and senior years of college and after graduation moved to Seattle to pursue further research opportunities.
Morgan recently completed her PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology at UW-Madison where she studied the innate immune response to bacterial and fungal infections. During her PhD, Morgan pursued many teaching opportunities. She mentored students in the laboratory, completed the WISCIENCE Teaching Fellows Program, and taught as an Adjunct Professor at Edgewood College. She is currently pursuing a career in biotech in the Madison area and is excited to continue mentoring and teaching students. In her free time, Morgan enjoys running, biking, and hiking outdoors, as well as baking and cooking with her husband.
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, BS in Neuroscience and Minor in German Language
Medical Program Assistant at UW School of Medicine and Public Health
Rachel is originally from the Madison area and recently returned after graduating from the University of Minnesota where she received her bachelor’s in Neuroscience along with a minor in German Language. During undergraduate, she assisted in a computational neuroscience research lab studying connectivity pathways and their relationship with decision making, addiction and foraging. Rachel was mostly interested in the many functional pathways our brains use when we make a decision. When not working in the lab, Rachel tutored student athletes at the university and volunteered at UMN's Children's Hospital.
Currently, Rachel is a medical program assistant at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and hopes to attend medical school soon. She also volunteers as an EMT in her hometown of Belleville, Wisconsin. In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her dog, friends and family. She enjoys cooking and watching her favorite shows on repeat.
Valparaiso University, BS, Psychology and Sociology
University of Wisconsin- Madison, MSW, School Social Work (in progress)
University of Wisconsin- Madison, MSW, School Social Work (in progress)
Rebekah grew up in Madison, WI and received a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Valparaiso University. She was also a member of the Christ College Honors College during her time at VU. She is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Social Work at UW-Madison on the school social work track. Rebekah hopes to stay in Madison after graduate school and work as a school social worker in a Madison middle or high school. She is passionate about access to education and supporting students and their families. Outside of school, Rebekah enjoys reading, playing outside with her golden retriever, and exploring nature.
University of Mumbai, B.E. Engineering
University of Wisconsin Madison, MS. Computer Science
University of Wisconsin Madison, MS. Computer Science
Rishika spent her early years in Nashville Tennessee, and at the age of 6, she moved to Mumbai, India. Mumbai is located on the west coast of India and has a deep natural harbor. The city is a melting pot of cultures and has a rich history, evident in its diverse architecture, food, and festivals. It is a place known for its colonial-era buildings, bustling bazaars, and street food scene. Growing up in the midst of the cultural hub, Rishika experienced living in diverse cultural environments, enriching her perspective and experiences.
RIshika finally decided to move back to the US in 2023 to pursue her Masters at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has since fallen in love with the beautiful city of Madison due to its
beautiful natural landscapes, vibrant cultural scene, and strong sense of community.
Rishika has tutored several students alongside her mother for around 5 years back in Mumbai. She is also currently working as a Math tutor in East Madison High. Rishika believes teaching provides a platform to make a positive impact on others' lives, and finds this ability to influence and inspire others incredibly fulfilling and uplifting.
Apart from tutoring, Rishika loves animals and birds and is a proud mother to a Quaker Parrot and an Alexandrine Parrot. She also enjoys spending her time by the lake-shore, drinking coffee, reading, having long meaningful conversations with people and helping people out.
Purdue University - BS in Mathematics
University of Wisconsin (Madison) - MA in Mathematics
University of Wisconsin (Madison) - MA in Mathematics
Sanchita is originally from the Chicagoland Area and she attended Purdue University, where she received her BS in Mathematics. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Mathematics at UW Madison. During her undergraduate career, she worked on research in the areas of Applied Partial Differential Equations, Numerical Analysis, and Graph Theory. Outside of her work in the lab, she serves on the national board of her sorority, as the National Vice President of Expansion, working towards Children's Education. She hopes to eventually pursue a PhD in Applied Mathematics. In her free time, she loves cooking, hiking, and learning new languages (currently working on German)!
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, BS, Mathematics, Computer Science
University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD (in progress), Computer Science
Shawn grew up in a suburb of Atlanta and attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology. At MIT, Shawn majored in both mathematics and computer science and is now pursuing his PhD at UW-Madison where he is studying how to guarantee beneficial behavior in AI systems. During college, Shawn has also worked as a software developer, as a research assistant, and as a tutor. In his free time, Shawn enjoys indoor climbing and cooking.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.S. Community and Nonprofit Leadership
Marquette University, MEd. Educational Policy and Leadership
Marquette University, MEd. Educational Policy and Leadership
Staci was born and raised in Racine, WI and received her B.S. at University of Wisconsin-Madison. While in college, Staci tutored reading and writing at local public schools, studied abroad, played softball, and worked as a campus tour guide which led her to her passion for working with college-bound students.
Since moving to Milwaukee for an AmeriCorp year of service at College Possible, Staci has been working in college access and success. Staci worked at Marquette University as an undergraduate admission counselor while earning her MEd. in Educational Policy and Leadership. Staci has also worked reviewing admission applications for the Wisconsin School of Business and teaching college prep subjects at Marquette University's Upward Bound program. Currently, Staci is the Director of College and Career Advancement at St. Thomas More High School where she works with junior and senior students planning their post-graduation paths.
Staci enjoys spending her time playing tennis, walking her dog, and traveling.
University of Wisconsin - Madison, BS, Biochemistry and Spanish
Wesley grew up in Neenah, Wisconsin and received his Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and Spanish from UW-Madison. He is currently a Research Technician in the department of
surgery at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health investigating transplant immunology and transcriptomics. He hopes to eventually attend medical school. Wesley has always been passionate about academics and is eager to foster this passion in his students. In his spare time, Wesley enjoys kayaking, backpacking, and getting lost in a good book.
Brown University BA Music
Will hails from the suburbs of Boston, where he nurtured his passion for the arts and a healthy love for school. He studied music composition at Brown University, and took core-curriculum engineering courses as a pseudo-minor. Beyond classes, Will expanded his dancing repertoire in a Latinx dance crew, where he and fellow leaders established a family for all members and reignited the historic troupe’s hay-day. After graduating college with honors, he decided to build his thesis orchestra piece into his first symphony. Joining his girlfriend in Wisconsin, who studies power engineering at UW Madison, he currently works to complete his symphony and polish his portfolio for graduate school applications. Will loves Madison’s summer-lake charm, and is well stocked to bake his way through any winter.
University of Wisconsin – Madison, BS Biology and Psychology
Yer grew up in the Wausau area and completed her undergraduate at UW-Madison. She is a Gates Millennium Scholar. During her undergraduate, she participated in multiple student organizations with foci that ranged from underrepresented student academics to sharing the unspoken stories of Hmong women. She also travelled to Japan to be an English camp counselor and interned with the Minority Health Program at the Wisconsin Division of Human Services. She is currently a research coordinator on a team studying Alzheimer’s Disease, inspired from volunteering at a local nursing home facility with the Music and Memory Program. When Yer is not working or on campus, she enjoys traveling, watching crime TV shows, playing strategic card and board games, and spending time with family and friends.