Aaron Margolis, a 2022 graduate of the College of William and Mary's online Master of Science in Business Analytics program, now works as a data scientist in a rapidly advancing field. He chose the online program for professional reasons and offers advice for aspiring master's students.
Alexandria Duffney has dedicated over 14 years to higher education enrollment management, working with a diverse range of students from traditional undergraduates to graduate and doctoral candidates. She is actively involved in the higher education enrollment management community and has presented on topics such as enrollment strategy, data infrastructure, and team optimization at national conferences including the Graduate Nursing Admissions Professional Conference, the National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals, and the Slate Innovation Summit. Previously, Duffney served as director of admissions at the University of Rochester School of Nursing before joining Elon University as dean of graduate admissions.
Amanda Gomes is a PhD student at the Center for Ainu and Indigenous Studies, Hokkaido University in Japan. They share their experience with applying for grants to fund their master's degree and PhD studies. Amanda is an experienced researcher and educator with a strong background in museums and higher education institutions. They hold two Master of Arts degrees: one in Public Archaeology from University College London (UCL) and another in East Asian Studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Amira R Martin, LCSW-R, is a communication expert, psychotherapist, and wellness professional. She owns Amira for Her, a group private practice, and serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia University School of Social Work. Amira is committed to creating safe and supportive therapy environments.
Anna Melissa Romualdez, PhD
A lecturer in psychology at University College London, Anna Melissa Romualdez, PhD, is a leading expert in autism and has a background as a social worker. She currently supervises master's students in psychology and is aware of how test anxiety affects students of many different backgrounds across all educational levels. We asked her a few questions about how to manage test anxiety in grad school.
Anya Josephs, LMSW, is a psychotherapist based in New York City. Their background includes prior work as a graduate instructor at UCLA and diverse graduate experiences at both UCLA and NYU, which inform their understanding of various modes of learning in graduate schools nationwide. Anya holds a BA in English from Columbia University, an MA in English from UCLA, and an MSW from New York University. They currently practice in a community mental health clinic and maintain a private practice, with a focus on underserved populations.
Ariel Sheen received a PhD in Innovation and Technology Management from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellin, Colombia. His doctoral research was funded by the Colombian government, the Social Science Research Council, and George Mason University. Sheen has worked as a digital media strategist, data scientist, and business intelligence and management consultant. He has lived in Colombia, Spain, Czechia, and Hungary.
To provide some perspective on the challenges and opportunities of being a first-generation graduate student, we spoke with Bishal Dasgupta. He is a digital transformation consultant currently pursuing his MBA with an interest in sustainable business practices. During his career, Dasgupta has facilitated transformation projects for Fortune 500 clients.
Cheryl Groskopf is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with master’s degrees in psychology and counseling. She runs a private practice called Evolution to Healing Psychotherapy, located in West Los Angeles and Pasadena, California. Cheryl is a holistic therapist specializing in treating anxiety, trauma (including intergenerational trauma), and improving relationship quality through securing attachment. For more information about her holistic therapy approach, you can visit her website and blog.
Cindy Chanin is the creator of Rainbow EDU Consulting and Tutoring. Over the past 15 years, she has tutored students in virtually every subject, ranging from Honors Chemistry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, American and European History, Literature Analysis, Creative Writing, Spanish, to College Application Preparation and Expert College Admissions Exam Preparation. She has helped many students gain admission to top universities, including Stanford, Yale, Brown, Northwestern, University of Southern California (USC), Oxford, Julliard, and New York University. Cindy's previous work in the admissions departments at Yale and USC gives her insider knowledge that she uses to better serve her students in achieving their educational goals. She founded Rainbow EDU in 2004 with the mission to transform students' lives through personalized education combined with inspirational mentoring and enrichment programs.
Clay Shirky is vice provost for AI and technology in education at New York University (NYU), an associate professor at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, and an associate arts professor in the Tisch School of the Arts’ Interactive Telecommunications Program. He has authored several important books on online groups and social networks and has written columns for publications including Business 2.0 and FEED. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Wired, Computerworld, and Foreign Affairs. Throughout his career, Shirky has focused on the social, political, and economic effects of Internet technologies while also mentoring others in his field.
Dave Vuono is an environmental microbiologist and environmental engineer. He studies how microorganisms today have been shaped by environmental stresses in Earth's past. He believes that understanding a microbe's evolutionary history and biochemical machinery provides context for how microbes function in nature. This knowledge can help design and manage systems to improve soil fertility, water reclamation, and resource recovery.
David Schein, MBA, JD, PhD
Dr. David Schein, MBA, JD, Ph.D., is the Director of Graduate Programs at the Cameron School of Business at the University of St. Thomas-Houston. He has held this position for eight years, during which he reviews all applications for the university’s MBA program. Approximately one year before assuming his current role, the university decided to remove the GMAT as an admission requirement to maintain student enrollment, given the school's small size and competitive market.
Dr, Maricel Cigales, PhD, MS
Dr. Maricel Cigales has over 30 years of experience in the field of behavior analysis. She has been a professor at Florida International University since 2008, teaching both graduate and undergraduate courses in behavior analysis. She serves as the director of the Behavior Analysis Master of Science (BAMS) program and is the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies for the College of Arts, Sciences and Education. Dr. Cigales holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in psychology from Florida International University and a B.S. in psychology from Louisiana State University. She has worked with individuals of all ages and a broad range of diagnoses, previously directing state-funded behavior analytic service programs in Miami-Dade County and founding Behavior Services Inc.
Dr. Anna Melissa Romualdez, MS
We spoke with Dr. Anna Melissa Romualdez, who holds master's degrees from Columbia University and University College London and now advises and supervises master's students at University College London in psychology. In addition to working with graduate students, Dr. Romualdez is an autism researcher who specializes in issues of workplace accessibility. Dr. Romualdez shares her experiences as a master's student and master's advisor and offers advice for prospective master's students.
We spoke with Dr. Dustin Goltz, PhD (Arizona State University), who teaches communications at DePaul University. He offers courses in performance studies, intercultural communication, and media representation, with a particular focus on gender and sexuality, polarization, whiteness, humor, queer theory, and cultural studies. As an artist and performer, Goltz creates solo and collaborative multimedia work. His latest project, *Fred Astaire's Dancing Lessons*, is a 70-minute, one-person multimedia performance exploring changing perceptions of queer male mentorship over the past 40 years. As a communication expert, Dr. Goltz shared his insights on student-professor communication in online environments.
Dr. J. Gordon Arbuckle, PhD
Dr. J. Gordon Arbuckle is a professor of rural sociology and faculty advisor in the graduate program in sustainable agriculture at Iowa State University. His research and extension efforts focus on improving the environmental and social performance of agricultural systems. In this interview, he draws from his advising experience to help answer questions about supporting graduate students through their master’s program.
Dr. Jennifer Bradtke, PhD
Dr. Jennifer Bradtke is a licensed clinical psychologist, board-certified group psychotherapist, certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) instructor, and the founder of ChangeWorks Psychology Ltd. She has over 10 years of experience developing and leading departments and programs at university counseling centers. Dr. Bradtke has presented internationally at conferences and authored articles on the use of humor in psychotherapy, gratitude, mindfulness, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). She is dedicated to helping individuals live intentional, value-driven lives.
Dr. Franco — a first-generation college graduate with a PhD in higher education leadership — has worked in higher education for more than 20 years, campaigning for greater college access and achievement among underserved and underrepresented students. She is also the founder of AZ HSI Consortium, the cofounder of the STEM in HSI Working Group, and has written several publications advocating for improved practices at HSIs. We spoke with Dr. Franco about the perks of enrolling in an HSI like the University of Arizona.
We recently interviewed Dr. Richard Shadick, director of the Counseling Center at Pace University. Dr. Shadick works daily with graduate students and provided valuable insights on dealing with imposter syndrome. He earned his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Pennsylvania State University and a certificate in psychoanalysis from the William Alanson White Institute. In addition to his role as Director of the Counseling Center at Pace University, Dr. Shadick is an adjunct faculty member in the Psychology Department. He also serves as a board member of the Association for College Counseling Center Directors.
Elise Phillips is a high school teacher and writes at The Will to Teach.
Elizabeth Rachel Virgen, MEd
Born and raised in Longview, Texas, Elizabeth attended the University of Texas at Tyler and earned a Bachelor of Science in history with a minor in social studies and a teaching certification. She worked for eight years as a special education inclusion teacher in the Longview Independent School District (ISD) before returning to school to earn a Master of Education in special education with an educational diagnostician certification. Currently, she works for Longview ISD as an educational diagnostician.
Emily Walker Heady is Partner and Chief Academic Officer at Magellan Learning Solutions. Previously, she served as the Associate Vice President of Admissions and Retention at Longwood University and as Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at Liberty University, where she also directed the Graduate Writing Center. Emily holds a PhD in Victorian Literature from Indiana University and has published and presented extensively in that field as well as on broader issues within higher education.
Eva Keller is a travel and tourism professional with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She earned her master’s degree in hospitality and tourism from the University of Central Florida through an online program while managing both full-time and part-time jobs. Currently, she shares travel tips on a blog that she co-writes with her partner called Discovering Hidden Gems. She also offers advice on balancing work with graduate school.
Fatema Jivanjee-Shakir, LMSW
Fatema Jivanjee-Shakir, LMSW, is a therapist, writer, and speaker specializing in eating disorders, trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, and working with individuals of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) identities. She has extensive experience with adults and adolescents through individual, group, and family therapy across residential, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient care levels. Fatema serves as a Primary Therapist at The Renfrew Center, maintains a private practice at Conason Psychological Services, and is a Board Member of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals New York chapter. She approaches therapy with a warm, collaborative, trauma-informed, and culturally-aware style, integrating methods such as CBT, DBT, cognitive processing therapy, mindfulness, and psychodynamic approaches. Fatema embraces a Health at Every Size perspective and is committed to social justice, body diversity, and working with BIPOC clients, particularly those from South Asian and Muslim backgrounds.
Fred Amrein is the founder and CEO of PayForED.com. He is a nationally recognized expert in the entire college funding and student loan repayment process. Fred's unique approach helps students and parents envision the financial outcome of a college education by combining the financial aid process, college saving plans, educational tax strategies, student financing, and loan repayment options. He has over 30 years of combined corporate finance, technology, and personal financial planning expertise and developed the first comprehensive college funding and student loan repayment software suite. Fred holds a BS in Accounting and Marketing and an MBA in Finance from Saint Joseph’s University. He is the author of a book and various CFP-approved training programs and has been quoted in national publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, and US News. Fred is dedicated to preventing and solving the student debt crisis through his company PayForED, which provides software, training, and consulting services in this field.
Ian Servin is a Continuity Specialist on the Emergency Management team at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California. He earned his Master's in Emergency Management from Georgetown University in 2022, focusing on emergency communication and community engagement. His capstone project included a survey exploring the use of social media by emergency management practitioners. Ian also volunteers with the Red Cross as a Government Operations and Disaster Action Team volunteer, coordinating mass care responses in partnership with government agencies and deploying nationwide to large-scale disasters.
Jack Wang works with families throughout the U.S. to help them maximize aid and pay for college efficiently without wrecking their finances. A regular guest on various personal finance podcasts, Mr. Wang has been quoted in publications like Forbes, CBS News, Business Insider, and GoBankingRates. He is also the host of the up-and-coming “Smart College Buyer” podcast.
Jamie Nelson is a veteran teacher at Manhattan Prep with approximately 20 years of experience teaching the GMAT exam to thousands of aspiring business school students. She has achieved a GMAT score of 770 and earned a perfect 800 on the earlier pencil and paper version. Nelson has trained and managed new GMAT instructors and takes great satisfaction in helping students master challenging material and achieve the scores they need.
Jamie Smith is an attorney and writer who has been teaching college students for over 15 years. She lives in Washington, DC.
Jennifer Vincent, LMHC, CSAYC, is the owner of The Brave Life Therapy in Indianapolis, IN. She is a licensed mental health counselor and clinical supervisor. She provides mental health therapy to individuals and families dealing with mood disorders, trauma, gender identity, family and generational abuse, and cult recovery. Jennifer earned a master’s degree in mental health counseling online from Capella University.
Joa Ahern-Seronde is a test prep and admissions consultant with over a decade of experience providing strategic services to students internationally. She specializes in academic and career advice, helping individuals excel in standardized tests, secure acceptances to educational programs and jobs, and achieve their career goals. Ahern-Seronde is the co-founder of JEM Achievement, a woman-owned online test prep and admissions consultancy that offers tailored and flexible support regardless of location.
Jon Morgan is the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Venture Smarter, a leading consulting firm specializing in helping startups and small businesses scale and grow. With over nine years of experience, Jon has extensive expertise in strategic planning, market research, and financial analysis. Born and raised in California, he earned his MBA from the University of California, Davis, where he also held a graduate assistantship. Beyond his consulting work, Jon is a sought-after speaker and author, sharing his insights on business growth and success with global audiences.
Julianna Coughlin, MS, LDN
Julianna Coughlin, M.S., R.D., LDN, majored in nutrition and dietetics at Framingham State University. She graduated in the spring of 2015 with a Bachelor of Science and passed the Registered Dietitian exam in July 2015. She earned a Master of Science in dietetics from the University of Nebraska Lincoln in May 2020. Julianna has worked as a dietitian in long-term care for five years and is committed to providing the best nutrition care to all her residents.
Karen Libber Fishbein, MSW
Karen Libber Fishbein, MSW, LCSW, is a clinical social worker providing psychotherapy in private practice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her practice specializes in working with young adults ages 18-40. Previously, Karen was a therapist in college counseling at Temple University, where she focused on supporting students regarding relationships, anxiety, depression, adjustment to life changes, and managing life and academic stress.
We spoke with Kat Mitchell, who holds a Master’s degree in publishing from Oxford University in the UK. We asked her about the financial aspects of funding her graduate education as an American studying abroad, and what advice she would give to aspiring graduate students concerned about the financial impact of their studies.
Katie Sullivan, Doctorate
Katie Sullivan holds a doctorate in organizational communication and is an associate professor as well as the director of graduate studies in the Department of Communication at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS). Her research focuses on diversity and inclusion, branding, and social media well-being. Alongside her teaching and research responsibilities, Sullivan is certified in yoga, social emotional well-being, and Koru Mindfulness, a program tailored for young adults. She conducts mindfulness meditation classes aimed at graduate students seeking stress relief, improved work-life balance, and enhanced well-being.
Kelly Stone holds an MA in English Composition. Just before starting graduate school, she was diagnosed with PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression, which created some challenges for her as she navigated graduate school. She shares her experience with us below. Kelly writes about climate change and social justice issues. When she’s not writing, you can find her outside with her husband and their delightful dog.
Kesslyn Brade Stennis, PhD, MDiv, MSW
Kesslyn Brade Stennis, PhD, MDiv, MSW, is the director of the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP), which includes the MFP fellowship for master’s students at the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Prior to this role, she was a full professor of social work and served as the executive director of the Dr. Dorothy I. Height Center for the Advancement of Social Justice at Coppin State University.
Kim Nelson joined the School of Government at UNC in August 2013. She was named Albert and Gladys Hall Coates Distinguished Term Associate Professor for 2017-2019. Her research on the form of government, corruption, and innovation has been published in Public Administration Review, The American Review of Public Administration, State and Local Government Review, and other journals. As a member of the Center for Public Leadership, she provides training and advice on leadership and management topics. She serves on the editorial boards of The American Review of Public Administration and State and Local Government Review.
Lilian Chen is the co-founder and COO of Bar None Games, a leading virtual team-building platform that has partnered with over 1,500 companies to help their hybrid and remote teams feel connected. At Bar None Games, Lilian oversees operations, marketing, finance, and customer success. She holds a master’s degree in business administration and entrepreneurship from New York University. Before co-founding Bar None Games, Lilian launched startups while working at an early-stage venture capital firm.
Lynn Pierson began her career at Bucknell University 16 years ago in the Office of Housing and Residential Life. In 2010, she was promoted to Assistant Director for Community Service in the Office of Civic Engagement, where she played a key role in managing the Community Harvest Hot Meal Program, Snack Pack Program, and other local outreach initiatives. She later served as Associate Director for Community Engaged Leadership and Internship Director. Most recently, she was appointed Director of the Office of Civic Engagement.
Mario Jovan is an artist, storyteller, life coach, and mindfulness instructor. He uses these tools to help people be present, find peace, and fulfill their life purpose. He began his career as a 7th-grade teacher in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, where he created the Brotherhood, a program addressing the needs of young Black males in his classroom. He later co-founded a multimillion-dollar organization focused on retaining male educators of color through mindfulness practices. Mario Jovan has been recognized by Forbes as one of the 30 Under 30 for his work as a social innovator.
For more insight into how schools support low-income graduate students, we spoke with Melanie Hanson, the editor in chief at Education Data Initiative, whose mission is to help past, current, and future college students navigate the financial obstacles between them and a quality education.
Michael Pauldine is a licensed psychologist at the University of Nevada, Reno Counseling Services. He specializes in psychological assessment and coordinates the assessment program at Counseling Services. His expertise includes assessment of ADHD, learning disabilities, and internalizing disorders. Michael's professional interests also involve working with students facing anxiety, trauma, OCD, adjustment, and interpersonal problems. Additionally, he enjoys supporting students from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ students, and graduate/medical students.
Mirna Vuksan is the marketing director for Lonely Axe. Before taking on this role, she earned her master’s degree in sociology and managed a community center that assisted those in need. In that capacity, she was involved in tasks such as collecting and preparing food, gathering clothes, maintaining the space, and organizing events.
Nicole Anderson is the owner and CEO of MEND HR Solutions, a human resources solutions and recruiting firm based in West Palm Beach, Florida. She has extensive knowledge of employment law across the United States and Canada. Nicole earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in human resources management from American InterContinental University in Weston, Florida. She is currently authoring her first book on the future of human resources, discussing why HR must adopt a more business-minded approach, the necessity for HR managers to collaborate with leaders to develop strategies that impact the bottom line, and how effective HR can add value to companies beyond merely creating and enforcing policies. Nicole founded MEND in 2017 after holding leadership roles in legal, retail, and manufacturing industries. Her firm provides comprehensive HR services, including employee training, organizational development, recruiting, policy management, and employee engagement, except payroll. She also leads MEND Recruiting, focusing on high-level specialty positions to place the right professionals in the right roles. Nicole is recognized for advocating for modern, inclusive workplace cultures and bridging generational differences in the workforce.
Pedro Braz is passionate about finance, marketing, and technology. He is a growth marketer for several online businesses and the co-founder of Investing in the Web, known as the TripAdvisor of investment fintech. Before starting his personal finance business, he self-funded his MBA in economics and management.
Assistant Professor Ramona Beltrán from the University of Denver focuses on centering cultural protective factors, strengths, and resiliencies in Indigenous populations to interrupt the intergenerational transmission of historical trauma. She has worked with Latino and Indigenous communities for over 15 years, utilizing the arts, dance and movement, digital media, and narrative. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and addresses health, mental health, and substance abuse disparities in these communities. Beltrán is passionate about teaching and believes social work classrooms can be transformative spaces where students bridge theory and practice through embodied and experiential learning.
Samantha Kaiser graduated from American University with a Master of Arts in International Communication. She is passionate about intercultural connectedness and celebrating cultural differences. She has worked in higher education, encouraging students to learn, live, and work abroad. Samantha is a self-published author of the book *Become a Better You Abroad* and runs The Lifestyle Travelers Outdoor Travel Blog. She currently works in conservation and aims to apply her academic knowledge to address the global climate crisis.
Dr. Scott DeLoach is a Professor and the Head of the Department of Computer Science at Kansas State University. He served in the United States Air Force from 1981 to 2001. During his military service, he earned a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Iowa State University in 1982, followed by an M.S. in 1987 and a Ph.D. in 1996, both in Computer Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Dr. DeLoach joined K-State's Department of Computing and Information Sciences faculty in 2001 and was appointed the permanent head of the Department of Computer Science in 2016 after serving as interim head since 2014. He has authored over 20 journal articles and book chapters, 17 technical reports, and 70 refereed conference and workshop papers in the field of computer science. His research primarily focuses on software engineering methods applied to intelligent, complex, adaptive, and autonomous multiagent and distributed systems, with current applications including smart grid power distribution and adaptive network security.
Shawn Blue, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist and Clinical Associate Professor at Thomas Jefferson University. She serves as a staff psychologist in the Student Counseling Center and is the Outreach Coordinator, overseeing all workshops and programs offered by the Counseling Center. Dr. Blue has authored several scholarly works, including the 2017 book *Grief and Romantic Relationship Dissolution* and the 2020 book *The Psychology of Modern Dating: Websites, Apps, and Relationships*.
We interviewed Sheila Johnston, a teacher who advocates pursuing a master’s degree to better support career goals. Sheila used her challenging upbringing, which included alcoholism and mental, physical, and emotional abuse, to motivate herself to get a college education and mentor others. She is now a proud wife, mother, teacher, mentor, and motivator.
Stephanie Jeret is a speech-language pathologist and the owner of Speak with Stephanie LLC. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the City University of New York. Stephanie has worked in various settings including outpatient rehabilitation, telepractice, skilled nursing facilities, schools, and private practice. Her experience balancing life, work, and school has helped her develop strong time management and productivity skills, which she incorporates into the support she provides to her clients.
To gain more perspective on the benefits of a gap year, we sat down with Tenayah Jade, an MBA student at Southern New Hampshire University. Originally from Brisbane, Australia, Tenayah moved to Toledo, OH in 2013. She graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital and Photographic Arts from the University of Toledo in 2020, a degree that allowed her to explore themes of storytelling, escapism, and the pursuit of curiosity. Tenayah’s work has been included in the University of Toledo’s Student Juried Exhibition by Alli Hoag, When + Where,” Society for Photographic Education Midwest Juried Student Exhibition, and the American Frame Student Showcase. She is the recipient of multiple awards, including the Walbridge Sinclair Scholarship and the Jurors' Award, and earned second place in the University of Toledo’s Juried Student Exhibition by Alli Hoag.
Tiffany Hoffman is currently pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health at the University of Nevada, Reno. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and works as an administrative professional in the Office of the Dean in UNR’s School of Medicine.
Troy Portillo is the Director of Operations of Studypool, an online learning platform dedicated to helping millions of students worldwide with their studies. He draws from his experience working in the MOOCs space to address key questions about MOOCs and how they can assist graduate students in enhancing their skills or earning their degrees.
