Casey Near Email and Phone Number

--Oversee & manage scholarship selection process of 1,500+ yearly applications--Counsel & mentor cohort of 600+ Mitchell Scholars to and through college --Promote college access and affordability throughout Maine--Manage the Mitchell Institute Alumni Council & Ambassador programs--Continue to be a thought leader for higher education and college access in the state of Maine

--Served as a spokesperson for Collegewise in national media interviews and webinars.--Development and execution of content strategy in partnership with marketing team to yield revenue. Included: newsletters, blog posts, webinar series, social media strategy.--Managed company’s overall quality of counseling & customer experience (~1,000 families/year). --Saw discrepancies in counseling quality and training/content was increasingly siloed, so conceived of and co-created the first comprehensive College Counseling Playbook to establish company standard.--Oversaw and wrote all internal communications with enrolled families and clients; wrote monthly newsletter, managed quarterly NPS survey and personal follow-up to each response.--Worked with caseload of students to navigate college process with joy, sanity, and perspective.

--Oversaw the counseling division, managed day to day operations of counseling and counselors.--Managed and executed COVID content pivot; launched 3x a day webinar series in March 2020, increased leads by 200%.--In response to lack of access to counseling in districts post-2020 budget cuts, created Runway, a free, national college counseling course distributed to school districts and individuals worldwide (45 videos and 30 pieces of written content). Filmed, wrote, and launched in one month. --Presented regularly on national webinars and media interviews, specifically in response to Varsity Blues Scandal (2019) and COVID impact in higher ed (2020-onward).--Initiated and managed complete overhaul of essay brainstorming process; wrote curriculum to ensure counseling was rooted in a proactive, forward-thinking, and equitable approach.--Worked with a caseload of students grades 9-12.

--Brought on to manage Boston office, promoted to managing all east coast Collegewise offices within 3 months (MA, NJ, CT, DC, and NY).--Worked with a team of senior directors across the country to improve counseling quality company-wide.--Counseled a caseload of high school students.--Ran free workshops and seminars in the community about college admissions.--Attended 4 NACAC annual conferences, 2 SuperACAC annual conferences; 2 time presenter on the benefit of a women's college education.--Awarded Counselor of the Year, 2017.

Spent my time traveling and volunteering around the globe through a work exchange program, Workaway. In my spare time, I wrote for my blog, did freelance editing, and attempted to get my backpack to weigh even less.

--Opened Collegewise expansion office in Bay Area, exceeded revenue goals in first year by 50%.--Created marketing and presentation strategy, spoke regularly in Bay Area high schools, community centers, and libraries.--Counseled caseload of students.--Conceived of and wrote Women's College Guide & College Visit Guide.

--Recruited hundreds of students nationwide through trend analysis, high school visits, college fairs, individualized presentations and personal interviews each year. --Managed two on campus events annually.--Supervised, trained and implemented updated tour guide program. --Professional development included: Summer 2011 College Board Summer Institute on College Admission and School Reform, SuperACAC 2012 Conference presenter (on the benefit of women’s college education)

Managed incoming donations for leading preparatory school. Broadened alumni engagement through creative communication and annual giving strategies.

Wrote and edited content for web start-up. Established succinct and playful tone of website to reflect San Francisco readers.

Developed and managed a portfolio of Free The Children’s Youth in Action Groups across North America. Organized and administered awareness-raising and fundraising campaigns. Delivered public speeches and workshops to local schools and youth groups.

One of ten undergraduates for prestigious American history fellowship. Pursued and completed individual research at the Library Company of Philadelphia; submitted 100 page thesis.

College students around the globe come together each week to bake and sell challah, then send the proceeds to local causes and to on the ground efforts in Darfur. Has raised over $300,000 since its founding.Began as Advocacy Director, and doubled number of petition letters mailed each week. Moved to Chapter Director position, and tripled yearly sales. Then served as consultant to founder, advising on branding and marketing strategies.

Managed all overnight prospective student visits throughout the year. Coordinated Admissions weekends and events of up to 400 students and families. Presented Scripps College in an engaging manner and answered difficult questions tactfully.

Coordinated logistics of a ten-day women’s leadership conference run by Global Women’s Leadership Network. Anticipated needs of twenty three prominent leaders from around the world. Created conference materials. Updated email and communication systems.