I hold a Bachelor’s of Art degree summa cum laude from Baylor University and a Master’s of Education from Texas A&M University. In my early professional life, I taught adults in community education and community college programs while volunteering with young people in schools, through Girl Scouts, and in a religious community; the skills I learned then inform my college counseling practice now.
While helping my own two daughters through the college process, I realized how confusing and stressful it can be! Before opening College Select in 2010, I earned a certificate in College Counseling with distinction from UCLA Extension, completed an internship in college counseling at Carnegie Vanguard High School in Houston ISD, and received training in higher education consulting from the Independent Educational Consultants Association. Since that time, I earned the NCAG designation of Certified College Advisor because I can address both the admissions and the financial piece of the college process. Recently, I’ve completed extensive training about helping students create their best essays.
I provide college planning services through meetings, email, and phone communication. Most of my students prefer to meet online using Zoom, but I can meet students who live near me in southwest Houston face-to-face at their homes.
To offer expert advice to my students, I spend time keeping up with college trends by reading college news, blogs, listservs and through professional development webinars. I attend conferences, hit the road to tour colleges, and visit with College Admissions personnel who come to Houston.
I subscribe to the best practices and the ethical guidelines of the three professional associations to which I belong. Through them, I have developed a national network of college consultants, financial advisors, and writing experts whom I respect and who can offer assistance for occasional specific questions.
In addition to working one-on-one with students, I have collaborated with a colleague to conduct summer Essay Workshops and to provide information about the college process to students in Baylor College of Medicine’s summer Doc Prep program. I'm available to give free presentations to groups about reducing college costs and about preparing for post-high school options. If you are interested in discussing a group presentation, please schedule a Discovery Call with Zena using the "Let's Talk" button above.