Team

Not sure where to start? You’re not alone.

Choosing a major, finding a college, writing your essay, filling out applications, and navigating the financial aid process can be overwhelming and time consuming. At Lighthouse College Planning, our goal is to assist you with these tasks and to make the transition from high school to college as smooth as possible.

Our college planning counselors...

Work with you one-on-one
Offer career and goal counseling, as well as academic counseling
Assist you with researching and narrowing career options
Help you with college/university selection and course selection
Prepare you for college visits and meeting with academic advisers
Help you draft personal essays and develop a resume
Provide workshops on various college planning topics
Prepare you for college entrance exams

Brooke Nowak, M.A.

Counselor

“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” – Christian D. Larson

Kathleen Mixan, M.A.

Counselor

Kathleen Mixan enjoys helping students and student-athletes navigate their way through the college application process; she has been a part of the Lighthouse team since 2012. Kathleen has gladly stepped into the role of Lead...

Jennifer McCue

Counselor

Jennifer worked for twelve years in Chicago Public Schools at the high school level, most recently at the English department chair position. She also taught post-secondary and college preparedness seminar to seniors...

Chris Merle

Counselor

cmerle@lighthousecollegeplanning.com

Chris Merle has a Bachelor's degree in English from St. Norbert College and a Master's Degree in School Counseling from Loyola University Chicago. He decided to become a school counselor after teaching middle school and realizing how...

Jen Krdynski

Counselor

jkrydynski@lighthousecollegeplanning.com

Jen has worked as a social studies teacher in both Chicago Public Schools and in the suburbs. She earned her Bachelor's in History with teacher certification in Social Science from Eastern Illinois University and her Master's in...