MCR Team | My College Resource

The Best Team In College Counseling

College Counselor: Samia M. Ferraro, M.Ed.

College admissions is an increasingly complex and competitive undertaking. I am prepared & qualified to guide students and families through these complexities by arming them with current, accurate information and professional advice. With over 25 years of proven experience in college counseling, I help my students through the journey of self discovery by questioning, probing and listening until they realize their own story. Finding the right college is not an exact science but realizing what they want and need in a school takes them to that right place.

Member: HECA, SACAC, NACAC

College Counselor: Rebecca Lewis, B.S.

I am passionate about promoting and inspiring student development and achievement. Having 15 years of experience working in the field of education, I’ve been able to support students in their growth and accomplishments and help them navigate the admissions process. Given the right tools and guidance, every student can discover their potential and find their true path to success.

Member: SACAC, NACAC

College Counselor: Heather Yush, M.S.

My goal is to inspire personal growth and empower students as skillful, confident decision-makers in their best-fit college search journey. I’ve collectively admitted, advised, coached, and recruited thousands of college-bound students and athletes throughout my fifteen-year career in higher education.

Certificate of College Counseling - UC Irvine

Member: IECA, SACAC

College Counselor: Kelly L. Riccardo, B.A.

In my 34 years as an educator--24 of those as the Coordinator of an International Baccalaureate program--I realized that what energizes me is assisting young people reach their goals. I enjoy helping students discover and share their stories in their college applications, and I am gratified to help them find the best fit for their next steps towards those goals. I get nearly as excited as my students and parents do about acceptances, and I believe in the process.
Member: HECA, SACAC, FLIB, NACAC

College Consultant, Jenna Thiel, M.A.

With over 20 years of experience in post-secondary and public education, I have worked professionally in college admissions, academic advising, student success coaching, and scholarship management. I am attentive, encouraging and a guide throughout the process. My strengths are to provide personalized support, solid listening skills and to lessen stress in the college-going conversations. I am a diehard lifelong learner, and I look forward to providing up-to-date information and knowledge about college admissions.

Member: NACAC, SACAC

MCR Editor: Aariel Charbonnet, PH.D.

My work combines my two loves: communication and supporting students on their path to discovering where passion meets purpose. I’ve worked professionally as a reporter, an editor, a communications strategist, as well as a student advocate in the nonprofit and higher education spaces. Writing, editing and storytelling are my areas of expertise to support students in cultivating a competitive college application, specifically the essay.

Manager of Operations and Client Services: Andrea Eiffert, B.A.

My primary objective is to ensure an outstanding and smooth experience for every student and family. For much of my career I have worked directly with teenagers, empowering them as leaders and aiding them in planning and executing teen-driven community-based, cultural and social justice initiatives. I bring a diverse skill set to the team encompassing project management, marketing, communications and technology. With a genuine commitment to excellence, I am devoted to providing comprehensive support to our clients throughout their partnership with My College Resource.

Meet Debra Landesberg, M.S.

President & Founder

Secondary & College Education Consultant

For over 20 years, my focus and training to be knowledgeable on trends in higher education, the college application process, scholarships and financial aid, high school course selection and activities, assures the most critical up-to-date information for you. As a result of leadership in national organizations, it is with humility and pride to be invited to present at conferences, as well as receive national and regional awards.

The My College Resource Team practices a student-driven process for helping students achieve their “best fit” college experience. By taking into account each student’s individual needs, talents, and goals the process is highly personalized and aims to take the mystery and stress out of the college search process. Based in Sarasota, Florida, we have guided thousands of students from around the globe through the college application process. Always honored to collaborate with students, I am tremendously proud of the work and results achieved with My College Resource clients. Partnerships with community-based organizations and high schools continues to direct students' educational road maps. It is due to the successful implementation of my early vision that My College Resource has become regionally and nationally recognized as a preeminent resource for college and secondary education consulting. Debra extends credit to the talented and creative team at My College Resource for this ongoing success.

Member: NACAC, SACAC, HECA

ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS