Meet Our Coaches
Do you have dedicated professionals providing individualized counseling and support to your students and families about “what’s next”?
Founder & Lead Coach
About Elisa Buckner:
With nearly 20 years of college coaching experience Elisa has made it her life’s work to help young people achieve their educational and career goals. With a background in School Counseling, she started Access 2 Admission in 2010. At the time, she was working with just 10-15 families. Now, she has expanded her team to serve over 600 students in middle school, high school, and college. Every year, her students earn over $20 million in scholarship awards and she believes this is because of a service-minded approach that puts students first.
Fun Facts about Coach Elisa:
- Favorite Ice Cream: Mint Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Peanut Butter (together)
- Favorite Artist: Minnie Riperton
- Favorite Book: Their Eyes Were Watching God (Zora Neal Hurston)
- Fun Fact: I performed in a traveling play my freshmen year that required me to dance (thank God social media wasn’t around then)
- Favorite Sports Teams: Oregon Ducks (I gotta rep my home town!)
Education:
- B.S. in Computer Science, Hampton University
- M.Ed in School Counseling, Georgia State University
About Dr. Jennifer Evans:
Jennifer is a history teacher, English teacher and AP teacher! She received her B.A. from Bard College and her master’s and PhD from Harvard University. In addition to teaching, she tutors and coaches students on essay for undergraduate and graduate admissions. She has also worked as an editor for a variety of academic publications.
“I love working with high school students on college essay writing because so often they are unaware of their amazing potential as they approach this critical juncture in their lives. I am passionate about helping them fully recognize their talents and strengthen their own voice so they can compose memorable essays that will help them get into the school of their dreams.”
Education:
- B.A., Bard College
- Master’s and PhD, Harvard University
About Toriano Parker:
Hailing from the city of Charlotte, NC, Toriano has served in education for over ten years. After graduating from Clark Atlanta University, he started working in college access and student support in the Fulton County school system through the Communities in Schools organization. This position awarded him the opportunity to be featured in Essence Magazine and several other platforms for the transformative work done with students and families. Toriano was also a college and career coach for the Next Generation Men Mentoring organization where the mission was to provide young men of color with exposure and insight into college and career pathways. Toriano is very passionate about seeing students win and unlocking their full potential. He is dedicated to providing a source of inspiration to those students that may lack the motivation or knowledge needed to be successful.
Fun Facts about Coach Toriano:
- Favorite Movie– “Lean on Me”
- Favorite Food- Fried Chicken
- Favorite Quote: “Believe you can and you’re halfway there”
- Hobbies/Interests: Music, traveling, mentoring
- What Most People Don’t Know: I did background vocals and toured with an award-winning gospel artist for three years.
Education:
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BA Sociology, Elizabeth City State University
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MSW, Clark Atlanta University
About Brianny Paulino:
Brianny has over 5 years of experience working with first-year college students in various capacities and 3 years’ experience teaching English Composition at Georgia State University. During her time at GSU, Brianny worked as a writing tutor for over 5 years and is an especially great resource for college admission or scholarship essays. Her educational background is in Linguistics and English, specifically rhetoric and writing. Her passions include writing, pedagogy, and education. Brianny is bilingual in English and Spanish and as a Latina-American from a Dominican family, she is enthusiastic about working with Latino students and their families through the college process. In her role as a Persistence Coach, she supports students by visiting them on their college campuses and ensuring they have the necessary tools to be successful in their college careers. Brianny is eager to assist you with all aspects of the college process!
Fun Facts about Coach Brianny Paulino:
- Favorite Movie: Batman Trilogy or any Marvel movie
- Favorite Food: Ice Cream
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Favorite Author: J. K. Rowling
- Fun Fact: Participated in a German Exchange program in high school
Education:
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B.A. in Applied Linguistics, Georgia State University
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M.A. English: Rhetoric and Composition, Georgia State University
About Descatur “Des” Potier:
Mr. Descatur “Des” Potier has over 12 years’ experience in higher education, specifically in college access, undergraduate and graduate recruitment and enrollment and management. Mr. Potier has served on a variety of roles throughout his career in higher education from: Program Recruiter and College Counselor for the University of Massachusetts, Boston –- Upward Bound Program, Associate Director of Admissions and Multicultural Outreach at the University of Georgia and Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs for Enrollment Services and Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Savannah State University. Currently, he is affiliated with the following organizations: Georgia ACT State Council, Southern Regional Forum Committee for the College Board and serves as the President of the GEAC committee which oversees the “GA Probe Fair”.
Fun Facts About Coach Des:
- Favorite Ice Cream: Swedish Fish from RITA’s Italian Ice or Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
- Favorite Band: Boyz II Men
- Favorite Book: Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin
- Fun Fact: I was a choirboy! Yes. I attended the Boston Boy Choir school at the St. Paul’s Church in Cambridge, MA
- Favorite Collegiate Sports Teams: Georgia Bulldawgs (Football) and University of Miami (Football)
- Favorite Professional Football Team: Atlanta Falcons
Education:
- B.A. Political Science, Trinity College
- M.A Teaching, Tufts University