A Team of 18 Professionals with a Combined 150+ Years of Experience Working For Your Family

John has nearly 20 years of experience working with collegiate and high school students, athletes, and families. Having worked as a collegiate coach and faculty member, he brings firsthand knowledge of the collegiate admissions, recruitment and financial aid process. Additionally, through his experiences working as a public school teacher and coach, he has helped many families navigate through the complexities of the college selection process. John earned his B.A. from John Carroll University and a Master’s degree from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. He has served as a faculty/staff member at a number of universities and colleges, including the University of Illinois, Cleveland State University, John Carroll University, and The College of Wooster.

Amy is an Associate Director of Student Services and a College Funding Experts admissions counselor through POM. She works with students and families to navigate and master the college selection and application process. Amy is also a licensed school counselor who has spent the majority of her career working with high school students approaching graduation. During this time Amy’s responsibilities included ensuring the academic preparedness of each student for graduation, providing college/career planning and guidance. Amy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Baldwin Wallace College and a Master of Education degree and license in School Counseling from Kent State University.

Through College Funding Experts’ affiliation with POM, Joanna helps students and families during the college selection and admission processes. She has worked in the field of higher education for nearly ten years with experience in career exploration, admission, academic advising, and university outreach. Joanna holds a Bachelor of Education degree with a minor in English Communication, a Master of Arts in Higher Education, and is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).

Katie Hill has worked in financial aid for over 8 years and is experienced in working with a diverse population of students and parents. A former Assistant Director of Financial Aid at a small private college in Pepper Pike, Ohio, she is passionate about helping families understand financial aid, easing the stress of the financial aid process, and making the overall transition to college life a smooth process. Katie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cleveland State University and a Master of Education with a concentration in Higher Education Administration from Tiffin University.

Moira O’Riordan has been a college counselor for fifteen years and taught at the secondary level for five years prior.

She has extensive experience and professional affiliations including:
    •    Founder/Member—Holy Cross College Counseling Association
    •    Member — National Catholic Colleges Admission Association
    •    Member — John Carroll University Advisory Board
    •    Member — Thiel College Advisory Board
    •    Past Member — The Ohio State University Advisory Board
    •    Past Member — State University of New York at Buffalo Advisory Board
    •    Past Member and Secretary 2010, Treasurer 2011, President 2012– Jesuit High School College Counseling Association
    •    Member – Ohio Association for College Admission Counseling
    •    Member — National Association for College Admission Counseling
    •    Member — College Board

Becky Slack has over 10 years of experience in the college admission field, as both a university admission counselor and a high school college counselor. Becky is a member of the Ohio Association for College Admission Counseling. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from The University of Mount Union with a Communications Degree and received her Masters Degree in Counseling from Heidelberg University.

With 15 years experience in higher education, Lisa Cynamon Mayers has worked as an admission counselor, independent college counselor, blogger, writer and speaker. Lisa worked in the Offices of Undergraduate Admission for Washington University in St. Louis and Case Western Reserve University. For the past twelve years Lisa has worked as an independent college counselor, guiding American and international high school students.

Linda Ross has 18 years of experience as an advisor and manager in the college access and financial aid field. She is passionate about helping students and parents understand the financial aid process so they can make the best choices for their family. She has a BA from Purdue University and an MBA from Cleveland State University.