OUR TEAM

JAN KERCHNER

LAUREN BROWN, M.ED., PPS

Lauren Brown has been an Educational Consultant and Director of Student Services at The College Blueprint since 2013, bringing over a decade of experience guiding students and families through high school and college planning. A Southern California native with national experience, she offers a broad perspective on education and admissions.

Lauren earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Leadership from the University of Mary Washington, a Certificate in Educational Consulting from University of California, Irvine, and a Master of Education in School Counseling from University of Southern California. She began her career in corporate operations before transitioning to educational consulting, where she combines strategic planning with personalized student support.



Based in Temecula, California, Lauren works with students nationwide to navigate the college admissions process and find their best-fit schools. She is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and the American Counseling Association.

Samantha Seligman, M.S., Ed. S.

Samantha Seligman, a native of Indiana, played collegiate softball at Purdue University, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Sociology with a concentration in Organizational Leadership. She went on to complete her Master's and Educational Specialist degrees in School Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Samantha began her career in public education, working with diverse student populations in both urban and rural settings, and gained additional experience in financial aid at High Point University and a local community college. She now works at an independent school, advising a small cohort of students through their college journey.



She is passionate about building strong relationships with students and guiding them toward their best-fit path after high school, with particular expertise in working with student-athletes. Outside of work, Samantha enjoys staying active, coaching, and traveling with her husband and their two sons, Jack and Hayes.

KAREN LERNER, M.A.

Karen Lerner, a New Jersey native, brings a diverse background spanning the arts and education. She began her career as a modern dancer, earning degrees from Rutgers University and New York University, performing with Toronto Dance Theatre, and teaching at Chapman University and the University of California, Irvine.

Karen later transitioned into education, serving nine years as a teacher at The Prentice School in Santa Ana and twelve years as principal of its junior/senior high school. She holds multiple teaching, administrative, and special education credentials, as well as an Educational Therapy Certificate from the University of California, Riverside.

A founding board member of the New Vista School in Laguna Hills, Karen now runs a private practice in educational case management. She collaborates with families, schools, and professionals to support students' success, ensuring clear communication and guiding them through academic challenges or school transitions as needed.

ANNE THOMAS, M.A.

Anne Thomas, originally from Michigan and raised in South Florida, earned her bachelor's degree in English from Florida Atlantic University (FAU), along with a Certificate in Ethnic Studies. As a first-generation college student, she developed a passion for guiding others through the college and career exploration process. While teaching high school English, she earned her Master's in School Counseling from FAU and a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix, where she also served as an adjunct facilitator for ten years.

With over 25 years of experience, Anne has worked with students across public, charter, and private schools. As a counselor and Director of Student Services at her school, she has guided students through academic planning, social-emotional development, NCAA recruiting, essay writing, and the college admissions process. She has also served on scholarship committees, evaluated essays for standardized and international exams, and supported ESL students.

As a parent of three, Anne understands the complexities of the college process and is committed to providing personalized support to each student and family. She is excited to be part of The College Blueprint team.

NELLY GARAYAN-BAKIRCI, M.S.

Nelly earned her Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Psychology from California State University, Northridge, and her Master's in Counseling and Psychology from Mount Saint Mary's University. With over a decade of experience in education, she is committed to creating inclusive, student-centered, and empowering learning environments.

Nelly helps students navigate the transition from high school to college and beyond, ensuring they feel confident, prepared, and supported in both their academic and personal growth. She previously worked in the disability services office at California Institute of the Arts, assisting students with accommodations and leading workshops on self-care, time management, and student advocacy.



Based in Orange County, California, Nelly enjoys traveling, writing, and interior decorating, and has a passion for collecting distinctive handbags. A devoted fan of Harry Potter and Jane Austen, she enjoys themed events and values meaningful time with her family.

JUSTIN SWANSON, M.A.

Justin Swanson has been an educator for over ten years. He is a former composition lecturer, having taught at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and Fresno State. Justin earned an M.A. in English at Cal Poly SLO and a B.A. in English with a minor in Music at UC Santa Barbara. His educational interests are: English composition, writing centers, Mark Twain, Gulliver’s Travels, the psychology of mythos, poetry, California history, and music.

Abulaiti Nuerbiya

 Abulaiti Nuerbiya is a proud Irvine native who earned her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from California State University, Fullerton in 2023. She also holds an Associate of Science in Engineering from Orange Coast College. With several years of experience tutoring math, she brings both subject expertise and a passion for helping students succeed. She is trilingual in English, Mandarin, and Uyghur, which allows her to connect with a diverse range of learners. At The College Blueprint, Nurbiya serves as a Math and Physics tutor, as well as an SAT/ACT Test Prep Tutor. She finds it enjoyable to learn new things because learning is always a good use of time. .

SCOTT AGOSTINI

Scott Agostini, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Cal Poly Pomona

With over a decade of teaching experience in Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry, Scott combines technical expertise with proven classroom leadership to support student success at every level. He has delivered more than 4,000 instructional hours to students nationwide, ranging from grade school through college, including high-achieving athletes and corporate families. Scott's teaching style emphasizes clarity and practical application, drawing on his engineering background to connect complex concepts to real-world examples.

STEFANIE GRAHAM, B.A.

Stefanie Graham was born and raised in Northern Virginia and attended Virginia Tech where she received a B.A. in English. She currently lives in St. Petersburg, FL and teaches high school English. She has been teaching for 20 years and has taught AP Research, AP English Comp., English Honors, Literature in the Media, and Creative Writing. Her educational passions include all varieties of writing, reading, and engaging in stimulating conversations. She has published poetry in several online journals and enjoys spending her free time painting and writing. She is passionate about helping students cultivate a life-long love of learning.