Hanifa Abdul Sabur
Columbia University Graduate & Collegewise Counselor
Hanifa has been passionate about higher education since deciding to be a professor at age 13. After an amazing journey as a student at Swarthmore College (bachelor’s degree) and Columbia University (two master’s degrees), this passion shifted to a lasting commitment to helping others access and make the most of their own life-changing college experiences. As an instructor and advisor at colleges like Columbia University and George Washington University and a college counselor for several years, Hanifa has helped over 1000 students accomplish their goals on their paths toward academic and career success.
Meredith Graham
Former Cornell University Associate Director of Admissions & Collegewise Counselor
Meredith spent seven years as an associate director of admissions at Cornell University. She also earned a master’s degree in higher education and worked as an academic advisor at Purdue, all after studying chemistry at The College of Wooster. A scientist and a counselor at heart, Meredith is the author of the Collegewise publication STEM’s Many Branches: College Planning for Students Considering Majors in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Ali Springer
Former Colorado College Associate Director of Admission & Collegewise Counselor
A career-long educator, Ali has spent the last fifteen years helping students on their educational journeys. She served as an Associate Director of Admission at Colorado College, her alma mater, for eight years, where she read thousands of applications, interviewed hundreds of students, and oversaw strategy on the leadership team. Working in the admissions office of a school that typically admits less than 15% of applicants imbued Ali with a thorough understanding of highly selective admissions. Ali now enjoys teaching families about the secrets of admissions and guiding students on how to best distinguish themselves in a compelling, competitive applicant pool.
Anita Gajula
Former University of Chicago Academic Advisor & Collegewise Counselor
Anita Gajula has spent her entire career in service of students—as a student affairs professional at Macalester, as an academic advisor at U Chicago, as a College Admissions Advisor both in her own practice and in other firms, and now as a Collegewise counselor and helps students through the college admissions process. Anita earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Williams College and went on to earn her master’s in student affairs and academic support at the University of Michigan. Anita has a knack for building relationships quickly and making seemingly unrelated connections between people and ideas, which comes in quite handy when she’s helping students identify and apply to their best-fit schools.
