Getting In: A College Coach Conversation

Host Sally Ganga brings together admission and finance perspectives for a timely conversation about preparing to start college this fall, followed by another installment of our "Meet an Educator" series featuring one of the newer members of the Bright Horizons College Coach team.

In the first segment, Sally is joined by College Coach Tova Javetz and finance expert Alex Gonzalez to discuss what students and families should be doing during their senior summer. Tova and Alex walk through the key tasks to tackle, from completing required paperwork to using college-provided checklists to stay organized and on track. They also discuss the financial side of the transition, including understanding the full cost of attendance and ensuring a solid plan is in place to cover expenses. The conversation also explores the legal realities of students turning 18, including situations where families may want to consult an attorney to better understand issues such as privacy rights, medical decision-making, and state-specific regulations that could affect their student once they arrive on campus.

In the second segment, Sally continues the "Meet an Educator" series with College Coach Katie Phung. Katie shares her path from working in admission most recently at Boston College to joining Bright Horizons College Coach. Sally highlights the value that new team members bring when they arrive directly from college admission offices, offering fresh perspectives on current trends and practices while benefiting from the collective experience of longtime College Coach colleagues. Katie also looks back on her own college search process and her decision to attend Bryant University, where she took advantage of the network she built to explore the administrative side of higher education after graduation during what she describes as a "professional gap year." The conversation provides insight into both the admission profession and the experiences that shaped Katie's career helping students navigate their own college journeys.

Host Dina Birmingham makes her debut as a podcast host with a special episode featuring a guest who has played an important role in her own life: her older brother, Roger J. Thompson, the 31st President of Saint Mary's College of California. Together, they explore educational leadership, student support, and the many resources available to help students succeed on campus.

In the first segment, Dina continues our "How to Become" series with a conversation about how to become a college president. Roger reflects on his journey from high school and college through a career in higher education that included working in the registrar's office at the University of Southern California and holding a variety of administrative leadership roles before becoming president of Saint Mary's College. Along the way, he shares the experiences and mentors that shaped his path, discusses the challenges and rewards of higher education leadership, and explains what he enjoys most about helping students from the administrative side of the institution. His story offers a fascinating look at the many career paths available within higher education and the impact that dedicated professionals can have on students' lives.

In the second segment, Dina is joined by finance expert Parisa Salavitabar for a practical discussion on campus offices: who to go to for what. College campuses can be filled with unfamiliar offices, titles, and jargon, leaving many students unsure where to turn when they need help. Dina and Parisa break down some of the most important resources available to students, including academic advising offices, financial aid departments, registrars, student support services, and the bursar's office—yes, the same term that gained newfound popularity thanks to Hamilton. They explain the role each office plays and offer guidance on how students can quickly find the right support when questions or challenges arise during their college experience.

Host Ian Fisher welcomes listeners for an episode featuring two familiar faces and one new voice.

In the first segment, Ian continues the "Meet an Educator" series with College Coach Stacey Badger. Stacey reflects on her career in admission at the University of Southern California, where she worked with applicants across multiple academic divisions, including both Viterbi Engineering and the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. She shares insights into how applications are reviewed for different academic programs, what students often misunderstand about the admission process, and how her experiences as an admission professional shape the guidance she provides today. Stacey also discusses her own undergraduate journey and what she enjoys most about helping students and families navigate the college process as part of the Bright Horizons College Coach team.

Next, Ian sits down with finance expert and longtime member of our Finance Team Dina Birmingham who will be the podcast's newest host starting next week. Dina shares about why she is excited to take on a hosting role and the unique perspective she hopes to bring to future episodes, helping families better understand how financial planning and admission decisions intersect throughout the college journey.

The episode concludes with finance expert Michelle Clifton, who provides an update on the latest developments in federal student loan repayment. Michelle explains recent changes affecting borrowers, including the end of the SAVE plan forbearance, and discusses practical steps families and graduates can take to understand their repayment options, such as using available loan repayment calculators and planning tools to evaluate payment strategies and make informed decisions as the student loan landscape continues to evolve.

Host Sally Ganga continues our "Deep Dive" series with a closer look at Rollins College, a private liberal arts institution located in Winter Park, Florida, just outside Orlando. With approximately 3,000 undergraduate students, Rollins combines the personalized attention of a small college with the opportunities and resources of a vibrant metropolitan area. Sally is joined by Dr. Faye Tydlaska, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing; Dr. Anne Stone, Interim Associate Dean, Cornell Chair of Social Impact, and Professor of Communications; Joseph Pool '26, a Public Policy and Political Economy major, Alfond Scholar, Ginsburg-Phoenix Fellow, and founder of Breaking Bread; and Valerie Mandel, Executive Director of the Center for Career and Life Planning.

Together, they explore what makes Rollins unique, from its distinction as the oldest college in Florida to its student-centered approach and strong sense of community. The conversation highlights the close relationships students build with faculty (not quite to the level of texting back and forth… but close!), the individualized support available both inside and outside the classroom, and the ways the college encourages intellectual curiosity, leadership, and engagement.

Along the way, listeners will learn about one of Rollins' most famous alumni—Mr. Rogers (yes, that Mr. Rogers)—and how his legacy of connection and care continues to reflect many of the institution's values.

The guests also discuss how Rollins prepares students for life after graduation. Valerie shares how the Center for Career and Life Planning helps students connect their academic interests to meaningful careers through internships, employer partnerships, and career exploration opportunities. Joseph offers a student perspective on taking advantage of the college's resources, while Drs. Tydlaska and Stone discuss the balance Rollins strikes between academic rigor, close faculty mentorship, and real-world preparation.

Host Kyra Tyler celebrates the 40th anniversary of Bright Horizons with an in-depth conversation with CEO Stephen Kramer and a look back at the company's remarkable journey.

In the first segment, Kyra continues the "Becoming" series with How to Become a CEO, sitting down with Stephen to trace his path from student to leader. He reflects on what he was like growing up and during his college search, including his focus on strong business programs and the early connection he made with a future business partner. Stephen also shares what life looked like immediately after graduation (including plenty of job rejection letters) and how attending business school helped open doors and shape his trajectory. The conversation follows his career through to leadership at Bright Horizons, including navigating one of the company's greatest challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on a business centered around child care and in-person services.

In the second segment, Stephen is joined by Stacy Raddock, Vice President of Educational Counseling at Bright Horizons, to reflect on Bright Horizons at 40. Together with Kyra, they discuss the company's growth, evolution, and impact over four decades. Stacy shares insights into her role and the unique challenges the College Coach team faced during COVID, when students were no longer able to access support in their school counseling offices. The conversation also highlights a defining strength of Bright Horizons: a workplace culture that fosters long-term commitment and connection, with Kyra, Stacy, and Stephen each having spent more than 20 years with the organization and what keeps them motivated in their work and their life.

Shannon Vasconcelos takes the mic for her final episode as host. Don't worry though, she'll be back as a guest at some point!

In the first segment, Shannon is joined by College Coach Kara Courtois to share essential tips for the senior summer. From managing logistics like dorm room shopping and campus prep to pausing and reflecting on the emotional transition ahead, Kara highlights how students can stay organized without letting this meaningful summer slip by.

Next, College Coach Julia Jones introduces "Reuse & Recycle," a helpful guide to navigating college essays. Julia breaks down the different types of essays students may encounter and explains when it's appropriate to repurpose or adapt existing content and when it's better to start fresh. It's a practical look at how to work smarter while still crafting thoughtful, authentic responses.

The episode concludes with finance expert Michelle Smoley, who unpacks "Trump accounts" and their potential role in college savings. She explains how these investment accounts work, along with their benefits and drawbacks, and helps families understand when they might make sense compared to more traditional savings tools. (Note: The $1,000 seed money is available for any child born January 1st, 2025 or later, not July 1st, 2025 as stated in the segment.)

Host Ian Fisher opens this episode with College Coach Lisa Albro to tackle what students should (and shouldn't) ask their high school college counselor. Lisa shares the questions counselors wish students would ask more often, those that spark meaningful exploration and help students better understand their goals, while also addressing the questions that are difficult to answer or ultimately don't provide much value. It's a practical guide to making the most of this important relationship during the college planning process.

In the second segment, Ian is joined by College Coach Jonathan Wickremasinghe‑Kuhn for a new installment of the "Major Interest" series. Using a recent news story about a Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, they break down how one headline can connect to a wide range of academic interests and career paths, from immunology and public health to communications and marketing. The conversation encourages students to think more deeply about what aspects of real-world issues capture their attention and how those interests might translate into a college major.

The episode wraps up with finance expert Laurie Peltier, who shares practical financial tips for college-bound high school seniors and their parents. Laurie outlines the key expenses families should plan for and important steps to take now to set students up for financial success as they transition to campus life.

Host Sally Ganga kicks off this episode with members of the Bright Horizons College Coach High School Planning Team—Lauren Randle, Caroline Damon, and Robin Khadduri—for a conversation focused on how students and families can make the most of the middle school years. They discuss how to strike the right balance between early preparation for potentially competitive college paths and avoiding unnecessary pressure too soon. The team emphasizes an important takeaway: what students do in middle school has little direct impact on college admissions, making this an ideal time for exploration, skill-building, and simply enjoying being a kid.

In the second segment, Sally is joined by finance expert Patricia Pineiro‑Goodenberger for a closer look at California-based financial aid opportunities, including the Cal Grant and the Middle Class Scholarship Program. Patricia explains who may qualify for Cal Grants, how much aid they can provide, and key timelines to maximize eligibility. She also breaks down the Middle Class Scholarship, including who qualifies and where it can be used, helping families better understand how these programs can make college more affordable.

Host Shannon Vasconcelos dedicates this special, all‑finance episode to National College Savings Day (5/29, 529 - get it?), beginning with Jonathan Hughes, Associate Director of College Planning and Content Creation at the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA). Jonathan explains how MEFA, a not‑for‑profit state‑chartered organization founded in 1982, helps families plan and pay for college through savings programs and loans, as well as its expanding focus on postsecondary pathways beyond college. The conversation dives deep into 529 plans—their history, purpose, how they work, and why they remain a cornerstone of college savings strategies.

In the second segment, Shannon welcomes Finance Expert Beth Feinberg‑Keenan to explore alternatives to 529 plans. Beth outlines other ways families can save and invest for education, including Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, taxable investment accounts (in either a parent or student's name), Roth IRAs, and even real estate strategies. She highlights the pros, cons, and flexibility of each option to help families determine the best fit for their financial goals.

Host Kyra Tyler explores the world of college consortiums in this episode, starting with College Coaches Shayla Bezjak‑Martinez and Geraldine Castaneda. Drawing from their experience with the Five College Consortium and the Claremont Colleges, they break down how these models compare: from campus proximity and walkability to differences in institutional style. They highlight the many benefits consortiums offer, including access to shared academic, social, and extracurricular resources that can give students a true "best of both worlds" experience. They also explain how the admission process works within consortium systems and what students should understand before applying.

In the second segment, Kyra is joined by Andrea Breen, Senior Associate Director of Admission at Emmanuel College, for a closer look at the Colleges of the Fenway Consortium. Andrea discusses what makes Emmanuel distinct within the group and how students take advantage of cross-campus opportunities, from intramural sports to performance groups that bring together students from across the consortium.