About Us

Transcend Academy: Onward Upward

Our students deserve the world. If they could work with committed advisers, who will guide them through the test prep and college admissions process, then they have a better chance of gaining admission into their top, best-fit schools. And, a better chance of success for themselves.

With advisers who are World Bank lawyers, Brookings Institution policy analysts, Georgetown graduate students, professional educators, and more, Transcend Academy has an array of talents, skills, and perspectives on our team. There is likely someone who will know exactly what you need to know about a college, academic program, or admissions requirement; and they can help you through the process. We work with families, schools, and non-profits alike to give students the best chance of admission into their top choice, best-fit schools.

Beginning in August 2010, Transcend has recruited more than 17 advisors and assisted more than 200 students in one-on-one and group settings. In the 2010-2011 academic year, Transcend helped students gain admission into 23 different schools and be awarded more than 1.2 million dollars in combined academic scholarships. The majority of students gained admission into their top choice school. Staying true to our motto "onward upward," the key to Transcend's success has been its specialized college admissions focus, sequential test prep and college admissions program, dedicated advisors, and personal investment in each and every student.

The Transcend Team
July 2011

Tina Neville, Founder and Director of Academic Curriculum
BA, University of Tulsa
MA, Yale University

U.S. Foreign Service in Vietnam, Pakistan, Iraq, and Washington, DC
Yale University Teaching Fellow in diplomatic history and international relations
Geography Instructor at National Cathedral School in Washington, DC
Students accepted at Columbia, UPenn, U of Washington, Colgate, and others
GRE Math: 790/800; GRE Writing: 6/6

Olivia Ellis, Director of Community Outreach
BA, Duke University
MA, University of Texas at Austin

Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society, Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies, UT-Austin
Foreign Language Area Studies Fellow in the Portuguese Language
McIlhany Endowed Presidential Fellow 2008-2009
J. William Fulbright Fulbright Scholarship Recipient- Anthropology/ Brazil
Willing Workers on Organic Farms on Hono Hu'aka Tropical Plantation in Huelo, Maui
Vanity Fair Public Relations Associate


	Yasmin Bin-Humam, Admissions Adviser BA, Harvard University JD/MSFS, Georgetown University Harvard College Scholarship recognition of Group II Academic Standing Georgetown University Kellen Scholarship - merit based award Teaching Assistant at Georgetown Law School World Bank Consultant for the Consultant Group to Assist the Poor Brooking Institution's General Council Legal Team Intern Students accepted at George Washington, Tulane, Spellman, and others

		Seth Brecher, Admissions Adviser BA, Vanderbilt University M.Ed., George Washington University DC Teacing Fellow at Duke Ellington School of the Arts Public Charter School Teach various high school level courses including College Summit, Financial Education, and Study Skills Rated a "Highly Effective" teacher under D.C. Public School's groundbreaking IMPACT evaluation system for the 2009 - 2010 and 2010 - 2011 school years Masters in Education concentration in special education and study skills Bronx High School of Science in New York City

		Radhika Butala, Admissions Adviser BA, Wittenburg University MA, American University Media and Communications Consultant and Producer Has interned at CNN, reported & anchored news for CNBC and produced reality shows for leading broadcasters Worked as a Research Assistant for American University graduate faculty Awarded the Best Entertainment Campaign by AU-School of Communication in association with leading LA-based entertainment communications firm PMK-BNC Avid reader, fluent in 3 languages, yoga addict, sometimes salsa dancer and full-time travel junkie

		Jennifer Dill, Admissions Adviser BS in Foreign Service, Georgetown University JD, Georgetown Law School Thomas Lynch & Associates, Associate Attorney, specializing in telecommunications law Attorney Mentor, Georgetown Street Law Clinic, Washington DC Cairo Regional Centre for International Commerical Arbitration, Intern in Cairo, Egypt Office of the Honorable Robert Portman, Washington DC, January 2002-March 2002, Congressional Intern

		Christine Ellman, Admissions Adviser BA, Yale University Study program, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia Yale Student Ambassador in New York, NY Founder and President of PEACE, youth enrichment programs on nature, service, and exploration Created and enacted weekly environmental and cultural programs as a Solar Youth Urban Fellow Internship with Amigos de la Naturaleza, Monterrey, Mexico on climate change and water The Cadmus Group, Inc. analyst on regulatory development for EPA's Office of Water

		Hilary Hartley, Admissions Adviser BA, San Diego State University-California State University Unviersidad Antonio de Nebrija, Madrid, Spain Study Program Universidad Catolica del Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay Exchange Program Spanish Language and Literature and Political Science, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa San Diego State University Track Team Program Officer at ISEP (International Student Exchange Programs): administers university level exchanges between the US and universities in Spain, Portugal, Mexico and Nicaragua Fluent in Spanish

		Asif Khan, Admissions Adviser MA, University Of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom BA, University of Massachusetts, Amherst Director, Business Development at Sidar Global Advisor World Perspectives Columnist at The Daily Collegian UMass International Programs Office Mentor Traveled across South America by car and ship Fluent in Urdu, Turkish, and Spanish languages Hobbies include traveling, photography, and fundraising for relief projects

		Alissa Kramer, Admissions Adviser BA, University of Massachusetts, Amherst Karls-Eberhardt Uni Tubingen Study Abroad Program MA, Lesley University Program Officer at ISEP: International Student Exchange Programs, responsible for administering student exchanges between US and19 member institutions in Europe Bi-lingual in English and German, beginning Spanish and French Birthright Israel participant and Alumni Advisory Board member Hobbies include learning languages, traveling, eating and telling jokes (sometimes all at once) "The truly educated never graduate."

		Jason Kennedy, Admissions Adviser BA, University of Illinois Springfield MA, George Washington University Associate Director of Admissions at George Washington University School of Business Graduate Admissions Coordinator at George Washington University Specialize in Admissions Advising, Essays, and Interviews Manager of Membership and Business Development at International Stability Operations Association (ISOA) Hobbies include traveling and mentoring students

		Zenia Lewis, Admissions Adviser BA, University of Michigan MA, University of Michigan University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in Durban, South Africa Study Program Research Analyst, Africa Growth Initiative at the Brookings Institution Research Assistant at the University of Michigan Ford School of Policy Volunteered as a youth group leader with high school students in El Salvador Mentored junior high students through the Big Sibs program and the Detroit Project Hobbies include playing tennis, painting, volunteering and reading

		Annie Moulton, Admissions Adviser BA, University of Virginia Universidad Nacional de Cuyo in Mendoza, Argentina Study Abroad Program Project Coordinator, African Growth Initiative, Brookings Institution Brent Scowcroft Award Fellowship, The Aspen Institute Legislative Affairs Aid, Office of Senator Claire McCaskill Academic year abroad in Chile and Argentina Wilderness Instructor at Poulter Camps Hobbies include backpacking, running, and traveling

		Yasmin Naghash, Admissions Adviser BA, University of Michigan JD, American University Law School Associate Attorney at Themis PLLC Legal Clerk at Department of State, Office of Legal Adviser Legal Assistant at Law Office of Kurt Berggren Legislative Intern at Office of Congresswoman Constance A. Morella Legal Intern to Judge David Tatel at U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit International Programs Specialist at National Institutes of Health

		Andrew Pugliese, Admissions Adviser BS, Alleghency College MS, University of Missouri-Columbia Majored in Environmental Science and Economics and graduate work in Agricultural and Applied Economics Tutored college students in Economics, Statistics, and Writing Peace Corps in Niger working as an Agricultural and Natural Resource Agent Quotes John Steinbeck as his favorite author Counts Diego Rivera as his favorite artist

Coming soon		Julia Richardson, Admissions Adviser JD,Georgetown Law School BA, University Of Florida Counsel at U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration Law Clerk at the Office of the Vice President and General Counsel for University Relations, Gainesville, FL Campaign Manager to Re-elect Edward Jennings, Jr for House District 23, Gainesville, FL Legislative Assistant, District Office Coordinator at Florida House of Representatives, State Representtatives Edward Jennings, Jr. Gainesville and Tallahassee, FL

		Ilani Schoenbach, Admissions Adviser BA, Amherst College MA, University of California, Los Angeles JD, Southwestern Law School Bachelors of Fine Arts, Magna Cum Laude UCLA School of Public Affairs, Dept. of Urban Planning in Community Development and Built Environment Admitted to the State Bar of California and United States District Court, Central District of California Judicial Extern for the Honorable Margaret A. Nagle, United States Magistrate Judge, United States District Court, Central District of California Students accepted to Colgate, St. Andrews, and others

		Charlie Shifflett, Admissions Adviser BA, Cedarville University MA, University of Iowa Section Editor, Features writer for the 21st Century Weekly in Beijing, China Freelance reporter for the China Daily in Beijing, China University Teacher, Renmin University of China Teaching Assistant a the University of Iowa's journalism course for Media and Consumers Twice A.W. Lee Scholar at The University of Iowa’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication Member of Kappa Tau Alpha, the college honor society for journalism students

	Jessica Smith, Admissions Adviser BS, University of Missouri-Columbia MS, University of Missouri-Columbia Research Assistant, Africa Growth Initiative at The Brookings Institution USDA National Needs Fellow and Research Assistant at the University of Missouri Peace Corps Niger as an Agricultural Extension Agent Volunteer Rode a camel through the Sahara desert outside of Timbuktu School Coordinator at UNFAO Junior Farmer and Life Field Schools Volunteer tutor at Maya Angelou Public Charter School

		Michelle Wong, Admissions Adviser BS, Yale University Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biochemistry & Biophysics Researcher at Patrick Sung Laboratory at Yale University on mechanisms of DNA repair Yale women’s club tennis team co-captain Research Analyst at the Brooking Institution, Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform IMS Consulting, Pricing & Reimbursement Practice, New York, NY SAT: 2400/2400

Sarah Cooper, Admissions Advisor
BA, Connecticut College
MS, The New School for Management and Urban Policy

Taught intermediate English to Ethiopian, Albanian and Vietnamese immigrants at the Newcomer Community Service Center (NCSC) in Washington, DC
International Grassroots Outreach Manager for Earth Day Network’s Earth Day 2010 campaign
Advised American and Senegalese university students at the Centre de Ressources pour l’Emergence Sociale Participative (CRESP), Dakar-Yoff, Sénégal
Project Manager/Researcher at the New School University, New York/Dakar, Senegal
Environmental Development Agent, Peace Corps, rural Morocco
AmeriCorps VISTA Community Educational Services in San Francisco, CA

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