Presenters

Miriam Gardner-Engel, M.S. Ed

Vice President

Miriam is the Head High School College Guidance Counselor at American College Counseling, Inc.

Prior to working at ACCI, she held positions at higher educational institutions as an Associate Director of Admissions, Director of Student Management and as an Admissions Counselor. Miriam has many years of experience working with students from almost every U.S. state and Latin America. She has a passion for assisting students through the college admissions process.She remembers how challenging the college admissions process was when she was in high school and wants to guide students through the process and assist them in having a smooth transition into the college and career of their choice. She also assists students with career planning and ensures a student’s a smooth transition into college and achievement of their career goals.

At Keiser University, she earned her Master’s degree in Education, College Administration and possesses a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Stony Brook University.

Klarissa Kitchen

American College Counseling, Inc.’s Financial Aid Advisor Klarissa Kitchen has an abundant amount of knowledge and personal experience in scholarships and grants. By receiving aid and financing her pursuits of her college degrees she was able to successfully fulfill her educational goals. Klarissa obtained her Bachelor’s degree with honors and is currently the Vice President of Community Service for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, is also a recognized high achieving member of the Ambassadors and Leaders Group, and a member of the premier national honor society Alpha Beta Kappa. She has demonstrated high standards over many years in education and mentoring of high school students encouraging them to graduate and helps find financial aid resources regardless of their economic status. As a student herself pursuing a Master’s degree in Psychology, she realizes how costly education can be and knows that scholarships and grants are the best way to fund college.

Due to Klarissa’s strong interest in education and vast enthrallment in the amount of financial aid available each year she advises and matches each student with valuable financial aid resources at a local, state, and national level. She hosts free financial aid webinars developed to inform students and parents about the financial aid process and requirements in addition to answering any questions that they may have. Scholarships and grants are a great way to help with the overwhelming expense and there are hundreds of them available. By assisting in the process she helps students recognize that by putting in the time and effort towards financial aid resources that success will be theirs.