Jan Kerchner, President and Founder of The College Blueprint, LLC ​

Jan Kerchner has been an independent educational consultant in southern California for over 15 years.

In founding The College Blueprint Jan had a vision and mission to assist students and their parents with preparing for college and finding the right fit for each student along that student’s personalized college path. Transforming her mission into a vibrant comprehensive counseling practice with resources including many specialized areas of counseling, Jan and her staff of credentialed counselors, all with advanced education degrees, support students across southern California, the entire United States and internationally. In addition to her private practice, Jan consults with private schools, and with public school districts including Long Beach Unified, one of the largest districts in California.

​As a former board member and Chairman of the Irvine Public School Foundation, her influence has benefitted the city of Irvine’s public schools for many years. Having toured extensively, Jan continues to evaluate hundreds of university campuses across the country and is frequently sought after to present her insights on the State of College Admissions. With an MBA from Cornell University, B.S. from Penn State, and a College Counseling Certificate from UCLA, Jan is also a Professional Member of the prestigious Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). While Jan and her husband are both originally from the East Coast, they have resided in southern California for over 30 years. The Kerchners raised three children in southern California; all have graduated college and are successfully launched in professional careers. 
JAN KERCHNER
President and Founder
Jan had a vision and mission to assist students and their parents with preparing for college and finding the right fit for each student along that student’s personalized college path
MARLA KELLEY
Director of Communications
Marla Kelley serves as our Director of Communications and leads our Writing Program. After a long career as a litigation attorney and former partner with a general liability civil law firm, Marla first gained experience with the college admission process while preparing her own sons for college. More recently she has developed an expertise coaching high school students and editing admission essays. In the past seven years she has guided students toward admission offers at top schools across the country including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, Columbia, Northwestern, UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, and more.
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Marla and her husband raised their family in Laguna Niguel, California where she served the community in volunteer positions involving education for over 20 years. With her sons now both graduated from college at UCLA and Northwestern Marla is personally focused on the college application process for her daughter, currently a senior at Dana Hills High School in Dana Point, California. Marla truly believes there is a program and school for every student, and shares the enthusiasm of all of The College Blueprint counselors and staff in helping each student find their way along the path best suited to their unique selves.
LAURIE POLLARD
Office Manager
Laurie Pollard has been with The College Blueprint for 7 years and holds the position of Office Manager. She greets new families and is responsible for day to day operations. She is fondly referred to as the “glue” of our office. She began her relationship with The College Blueprint when her eldest daughter Rachel needed college counseling. Rachel graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2012 and is now gainfully employed.

Laurie’s youngest daughter Sarah also went through our program and recently graduated from Boston College in Nursing and is employed at one of Boston’s great hospitals. Raised in a military family, Laurie spent her youth living around the country as well as in Argentina; she spent her high school years in Germany. Laurie is a sustaining member of the National Charity League and enjoys traveling. With a BBA in Business Management from Idaho State University, Laurie is happy to be with The College Blueprint on a full-time basis now that is she an “empty nester.”
CINDY TOLLES
Standardized Testing &
Tutoring Coordinator
Cindy Tolles graduated from UC Davis with a B.A. in English/Writing and has worked extensively as a writer, editor and tutor. Cindy thoroughly enjoys coordinating The College Blueprint’s growing standardized testing preparation program and working with our families to develop customized tutoring programs.

It is very gratifying to help students improve their skills and discover what they are capable of achieving. Cindy is well aware of the challenges families face as they navigate college applications and standardized tests, as she has three children: all college students. In her spare time, she likes to hike, ski, travel, and text with her family.
ERICA SHEN
College Counselor
Erica Shen has been a college counselor at The College Blueprint for over 10 years. She received her undergraduate degree in English from the University of California, Irvine and her master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University. She obtained her certificate in college counseling from the University of California, Los Angeles. She helps students develop an academic plan, identify career interests, and find schools that best fit their academic and personality needs. Applying to college is an exciting and sometimes stressful time and Erica is here to assist students and their families through the process.

Erica finds it a rewarding experience to share such a special time with her students. When she is not researching colleges or editing personal essays, Erica is spending time with her husband and son. They like to read books, ride bikes, and occasionally start food fights with Cheerios!
LESLIE BETTINO
College Counselor
Leslie Bettino, as a College Counselor for The College Blueprint, LLC, believes students and parents need the one-on-one support, guidance and encouragement we provide to ensure the students’ successful and meaningful high school and, eventually, collegiate experience. When she works with a student, she witnesses their growth as an individual as they accomplish goals, discover their strengths and abilities, identify the right collegiate options for themselves and, most importantly, successfully transition from high school to college. Leslie finds her job very rewarding and it is a privilege for her to work with our students and families.
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Leslie received her undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Psychology from Point Loma Nazarene University and received her Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling and Pupil Personnel Services Credential from Azusa Pacific University. Leslie has been married for over eleven years to her husband, Matt, and has three children, Jack, McKenna and Paige.
TAVY TUNG-MURPHY
College Counselor
Tavy Tung joined The College Blueprint team in 2012 as a College Counselor and has already obtained excellent results with dozens of students. She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology and her master’s degree and Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling from the California State University, Long Beach. She has worked with middle school and high school students in exploring interests and skills and connecting those with career possibilities and college majors. For Tavy, it has been an exciting experience to explore careers and research colleges as she guides the students and families here at The College Blueprint.
SAHAR ZANDI
College Counselor
Academic Coach
Transfer Counselor
Sahar Zandi graduated from UC Irvine with a B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior and a M.S. in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton. She has worked with the Fullerton School District for over four years helping students in both academic and psychological spheres. She helps high school and college students through career exploration, college counseling as well as academic coaching. She supports her students by giving them the tools they need to succeed in their education, and is humbled to be a part of their academic success and growth. 
KAREN LERNER
Karen Lerner is a New Jersey native who is embarking on her third career. Her first was as a modern dancer, with a BA in dance from Rutgers University and an MA in dance from New York University. Besides working with Toronto Dance Theatre, she was also a member of the dance departments at both Chapman University and the University of California, Irvine. Her second career was as a teacher at The Prentice School in Santa Ana for nine years. She then became the principal of the junior/senior high school for the next twelve. Karen holds a multiple subject and administration credential from UCI, a special education credential from Chapman, and a Slingerland Training certificate from USD.

​While at Prentice, Karen also was a founding board member of the New Vista School in Laguna Hills. Currently Karen is pursuing an educational therapy certificate from the University of California, Riverside. Concurrently she has begun a private practice that focuses on educational case management. In collaboration with a referring therapist, educational lawyer or school, Karen works with the student, the parent, the school counselor, the teacher, and/or the therapist. Her primary responsibility is to keep everyone in the loop as she supports the student to successfully navigate through the curriculum; thus allowing the student to remain at school. Consequently, if a student needs to transfer to another educational institution, Karen will also aid in this process.