OUR TEAM

LAUREN BROWN, M.ED., PPS

Lauren Brown has been an Educational Consultant with The College Blueprint since 2013. She was born and raised here in Southern California but has lived in many places around the country, including Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Northern Virginia. After meeting her husband in Washington, DC and having their two kids, Lauren returned to Southern California, where she now lives in Temecula with her family.

Lauren received her Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Business and Leadership from the University of Mary Washington, where she graduated with distinction. She then went on to earn her Certificate in Educational Consulting from the University of California, Irvine. And, recently, Lauren completed her Master of Education in School Counseling from the University of Southern California.

Lauren began her career working in Corporate Business Operation, where she managed many employees, but realized her true passion was working with students and their families. Having lived on both coasts, Lauren has a passion for working with students from all over the country and enjoys helping students streamline high school and the college application process, as well as finding their “best fit” school, wherever that may be.

Lauren is an Associate Member of the prestigious Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and the American Counseling Association.

JENNIFER REIDER, M.A., P.P.S

Jennifer Reider is a California native that was born in Orange County and raised in Temecula. She received her bachelor's degree from California State University, Long Beach with a degree in Journalism and Communications. Prior to becoming a counselor, she had a variety of jobs in entertainment from working on sets for television shows to working behind the scenes marketing for The Simpsons TM. After feeling unfulfilled in her career in entertainment, she made the decision to change her career path to become an educational counselor. Jennifer went on to get her Master’s, PPS Credential and Associate Clinical Counseling degree from Azusa Pacific University to follow her passion of working with students to become the best versions of themselves. Being a first-generation college student, she understands how important it is for students to have the support and resources in choosing a school that is right for them. In her free time, Jennifer loves to spend time with her friends and family, going on bike rides, roller skating and playing with her cat, Cleo.

COURTNEY CRENSHAW, M.A., P.P.S

Courtney Crenshaw has 20 years of experience in education as a School Psychologist and School Counselor. She comes from a family of educators that greatly value the power that a degree in higher education can offer an individual for both personal growth and professional stability. As an Educational Consultant with The College Blueprint, there is no greater reward than to guide a student to find their best fit college and help identify potential career paths. Courtney has special expertise in working with students with learning differences and unique needs and designing appropriate supports for educational success. Courtney is experienced in conducting psycho-educational assessment and supporting students' educational, mental health, and behavioral needs. She can assist students with special needs in a successful transition to higher education and obtaining appropriate accommodations. Courtney graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with an undergraduate degree in Sociology. She then received a Master’s Degree in Education with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling and School Psychology from Azusa Pacific University. More recently, Courtney completed the UCLA program for College Counseling. Courtney is thrilled to be a part of the College Blueprint team in order to provide individualized counseling services for students as they embark on one of the most exciting chapters of their lives. Courtney seeks to help students identify their strengths and individual pathways to achieve their college and career goals. Courtney is married and has twin boys, Kai and Kellan. She strives to stay active in her boys' sporting activities and enjoys participating in family outings including hiking, biking, and surfin.

Samantha Seligman, M.S., Ed. S.

Samantha Seligman was born and raised in Indiana where she played college softball while attending Purdue University. After graduating with her Bachelors in Sociology with a concentration in Organizational Leadership, Samantha moved to North Carolina where she attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. It was there she earned both her Masters and Educational Specialist degrees in School Counseling. Immediately following graduation, Samantha began working in the public school system serving both urban and rural populations through her time. During the summer months she spent time in the office of financial aid as a specialist at High Point University and a local community college. Recently, Samantha has transitioned to an independent school where she advises a small group of students in their college journey. While working with students, she particularly enjoys the relationship building piece where she can learn more about the students wants and needs in order to find the best fit for the next chapter of their lives. Samantha is elated to join the College Blueprint team to begin guiding families through the application process and has a knack for working with student athletes. In her free time, Samantha enjoys working out, coaching baseball and soccer as well as traveling with her husband and two boys, Jack and Hayes. 

KAREN LERNER, M.A.

Karen Lerner is a New Jersey native who is embarking on her third career. Her first was as a modern dancer, with a BA in dance from Rutgers University and an MA in dance from New York University. Besides working with Toronto Dance Theatre, she was also a member of the dance departments at both Chapman University and the University of California, Irvine. Her second career was as a teacher at The Prentice School in Santa Ana for nine years. She then became the principal of the junior/senior high school for the next twelve. Karen holds a multiple subject and administration credential from UCI, a special education credential from Chapman, and a Slingerland Training certificate from USD. As of 2022, Karen has earned several credentials from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, which include an Administrative Services Credential, Specialist Instruction Credential in Special Education, and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.

While at Prentice, Karen also was a founding board member of the New Vista School in Laguna Hills. Karen currently holds an educational therapy certificate from the University of California, Riverside. Concurrently she has begun a private practice that focuses on educational case management. In collaboration with a referring therapist, educational lawyer or school, Karen works with the student, the parent, the school counselor, the teacher, and/or the therapist. Her primary responsibility is to keep everyone in the loop as she supports the student to successfully navigate through the curriculum; thus allowing the student to remain at school. Consequently, if a student needs to transfer to another educational institution, Karen will also aid in this process.

ANN THOMAS, M.A.

Anne Thomas was born in Michigan and raised in sunny South Florida. Anne graduated from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) with an undergraduate degree in English and a Certificate in Ethnic Studies. As a first generation student navigating the college process, she realized she wanted to work more directly with students in the career and college exploration process. So, while working as a high school English teacher, she earned her Master’s degree in School Counseling at FAU and her Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix and taught as an adjunct facilitator at the university for ten years. Anne is in her 25th year working with high school students in a variety of educational settings: public, charter, and private schools. 

As a high school counselor and Director of Student Services, she has led students and families through four-year academic advisement plans; social-emotional development; the NCAA recruiting process, essay writing and the college admission process. Anne has volunteered on scholarship committees at the local and national level reading essays. As an independent contractor she has evaluated essays for state standardized tests and international college entrance exams. She has tutored English as a Second Language students from the ages of 3-16. Anne’s undergraduate involvement and experience at the middle, high, international and collegiate levels provide her the skills and experience needed to assist students through the various stages of their academic journey. As a parent of three children (Myles, Silas, and Reagan Marie), she empathizes with the pressures and stress placed on students and families through the post-secondary planning process. She prides herself on tailoring to the individual needs of each student. She is excited to join the College Blueprint team and looks forward to working with your family.

JAMIE GAZZANO, M.A.

Jamie Gazzano is a dedicated School Counselor with a passion for guiding students toward

academic success and personal growth. Jamie has experience and dedication in working

closely with students and families to provide comprehensive counseling support, including

academic planning and college application guidance.

Originally from Southern California, Jamie has spent years fostering student success through

her roles in school counseling, communications, and admissions. Jamie holds a Master of Arts

in Education, specializing in School Counseling with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential,

from Concordia University Irvine, where she also earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts.

Committed to continuous professional development, she also completed her College

Counseling Certificate through UCSD.

With a background in higher education admissions and marketing, Jamie has a deep

understanding of the college application process and enjoys helping students find their best-fit

schools. Her experience as an Associate Director of Marketing and Admissions at Concordia

University Irvine and a Regional Admissions Representative for Florida Polytechnic University

has equipped her with valuable insights into college admissions and student engagement. She

is passionate about advocating for students and fostering a supportive environment where

students can thrive.

Jamie lives in Orange County with her husband and their four children, Jaedyn, Emory, Michael

and Elise. They are a pet-loving family who enjoy traveling, having new adventures, and making

lasting memories together.

Jamie is thrilled to join The College Blueprint team and looks forward to using her experience to

help students navigate the college planning process with confidence. She is passionate about

supporting students in their academic and personal growth, ensuring they feel empowered to

achieve their goals.

JUSTIN SWANSON, M.A.

Justin Swanson has been an educator for over ten years. He is a former composition lecturer, having taught at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and Fresno State.

Justin earned an M.A. in English at Cal Poly SLO and a B.A. in English with a minor in Music at UC Santa Barbara.

His educational interests are: English composition, writing centers, Mark Twain, Gulliver’s Travels, the psychology of mythos, poetry, California history, and music.

Abulaiti Nuerbiya

 Abulaiti Nuerbiya is an Irvine native and is working toward her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at Cal State University, Fullerton. She has also received her Associate of Science in Engineering degree from Orange Coast College.

She has been tutoring for a couple of years in math subjects and is currently working as a teaching assistant for her professor.

She is also trilingual: English, Mandarin, and Uyghur. At The College Blueprint, Nurbiya serves as a Math and Physics tutor, as well as an SAT/ACT Test Prep Tutor.

She finds it enjoyable to learn new things because learning is always a good use of time.

Krishna Patel, M.S.

 Krishna Patel attended University of California, Irvine for his double major in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry. He then graduated from UC Berkeley with a M.S in Chemical Engineering.

He has always enjoyed teaching math and chemistry to high school and college students. He likes to develop a solid rapport with students and guides their thinking through Socratic questioning. He has tutored for over 8 years and has experience in teaching 1:1 and in groups through private companies and universities. Krishna worked in Colorado for 2 years in manufacturing at Gates Corporation as a Product Development Engineer before moving to Massachusetts where he is in Downstream Purification, Research and Development at a pharmaceutical company.

He is currently getting his MBA from University of Louisiana, Lafayette to broaden his skillsets and expand interests in the business field. During his free time he loves playing tennis, ping pong, trying new restaurants and working out.