University of Washington

I have been a college and career adviser for over three years now. I fully enjoy working with students to help them accomplish their dreams as higher education should be accessible to all! The college application process can be overwhelming and sometimes complicated, so I strive to make sure the process not only flows easily but makes sense for each student. I work with students starting in their sophomore year (or earlier) plan for their educational and career goals and making sure that they are taking steps early on in their high school career to accomplish their goals. I'm a big believer in the match and fit process and making sure to explore all aspects of a university to make sure it's the right fit for a student.

As a Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholar and Columbia's Arthur Zankel Fellow, I am a successful first-generation college and master's graduate raised in the Philippines & Alaska. I am currently based in Washington, DC after completing my master's in sociology and education policy from Columbia University (2022). I graduated with my BA in Political Economy and Sociology from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington (2019). Since 2015, I have experience as an educator and a writing/narrative coach where I have been mentoring high school students in college, scholarships, summer fellowships, and job applications from Alaska, Washington, and New York City. I also have 3 years of experience as a scholarship reader with the APIA Scholarships. Some of the students I have worked with have gone on to pursue a bachelor's degree at Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania, a master's degree in Taxation at USC, and a medical degree at the University of Washington. As an academic, college, fellowships, and scholarship advisor, some of my students are majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Kinesiology, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Business Taxation, Public Health, Political Science, Arts and Humanities, and Business. Students I've worked with have won the Taco Bell Liv Mas Scholarship, Coca-Cola Scholarship, McNair Scholars, and APIA Scholars. With over 7 years of experience in higher education, I am deeply committed to supporting you with compassion and kindness as you explore your pathway out into the world and make your dreams a reality. As an immigrant myself, I value the skills and lived experiences that come with the struggles and triumphs of first-generation college-bound immigrant scholars in finding and applying to value and purpose-driven college fit. I will be there every step of the way as we dedicate our time, energy, writing juices, and laughter to reach your dreams. At the core, I want you (your body, mind, and soul) to enjoy the process of putting your ideas into a compelling narrative and connect with yourself and the schools that will be lucky to learn about you and be part of your growth as a future leader of our society.

Hello, my name is Kyana Brubaker, and I graduated from Johns Hopkins University in May of 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Visual Arts. While at Hopkins, I was involved in clinical research, was the vice president of the all-female a cappella group on campus and was a math tutor. I also served as a first-year mentor for two years in which I supported a total of 33 freshmen throughout orientation and their first year at Hopkins. I was also an advising fellow for two and a half years with Matriculate, a non-profit organization, where I supported 5 high school students with their college applications. In these roles, I nurtured a passion for supporting students at various levels of their college experience. Now, as a nursing student, I have gained an even deeper appreciation for how valuable supportive mentors can be. Having applied to both college and nursing school without much outside support, I understand how overwhelming and confusing the application process can be. I am also a member of the Essay Review Team with CollegeAdvisor, which has given me more experience with reading and editing essays - one of my favorite components of the application process. I look forward to guiding and supporting students as they navigate this process!