Fayelah Johnson
College Counselor
Fayelah graduated from the University of California, Irvine with her B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior, with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies. At her alma mater, she facilitated a course for incoming first-year students on how to successfully navigate their transition to college- advising them on everything from course selection to how to be a leader on campus. Before joining Collegewise, Fayelah developed and coordinated college-access programs at community-based organizations in Orange County, CA. With nearly a decade of student services and college counseling experience, Fayelah has provided individualized guidance on the college exploration, application, and decision-making process to hundreds of students who went on to thrive in colleges and universities across the country.
Nick Kary
College Counselor
After earning B.A. and M.Ed. degrees from the University of Minnesota, Nick moved right into his alma mater’s admissions office, where he evaluated more than 1,000 annual applications. Over the ensuing eleven years, Nick’s impact on both his office and his colleagues was recognized with roles of increasing responsibility, encompassing the hiring, training, and management of admissions team members. We remind new employees at Collegewise: When we arrive at work each day, we never leave it at zero—we either make it a little better or a little worse. Make it a little better. That’s exactly what resonated for us about Nick and his own work. The UMN admissions office is a fundamentally different place today than it was when Nick started nearly a decade ago, which is the kind of impact we look for in a colleague—not to mention the same impact colleges look for in an applicant. This approach also reflects how Nick encourages his students to think about participating in their own activities and communities.
