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About Us

We are committed to expanding student access and understanding of the college application process, building a diverse and empowered team of mentors and leaders, and deepening our community impact through strong partnerships with nonprofits and school districts

Who We Are

Take on College was founded in 2019 to provide mentorship for first-generation college students, addressing the lack of affordable guidance. With college counseling costing over $100 per session, the founders, as students themselves, sought to offer accessible support.

Mission Statement

Take on College’s mission is to make higher education accessible to all through dedicated mentorship!

Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment

Take on College works to nurture the learning and growth of our community of diverse mentors and mentees. We specialize in working with first-generation and low-income students, to bridge the access gap in higher education equity.

Board Members

Alan Nava

President

Ngoc-Vy Mai

Susanna Wong Ordway

Lily Steller

Lisa Young

Nick Tran

Tresurer

Alan Nava


President

Ngoc-Vy Mai

Susanna Wong Ordway

Lily Steller

Lisa Young

Nick Tran

Tresurer

Meet Our Team

Hong Ta

Co-Founder, Executive Director

Jazmine Bailey

Programming Director

Smriti Lamichhane

Strategy Director

Selina Franovic

Administrative Director

Endy Huynh, UPenn

Volunteer Coordinator and Mentor

Tommy Mac, UW

People & Community Engagement Coordinator, and Mentor

Sandy Chen, Cornell

Finance Chair and Mentor

Lena Ngo, UW

Admin and Marketing Committee

Ali Karim, UW

Volunteer Mentor

Theresa Tran, UW

Volunteer Mentor

Anish Bhamidpati, SLU

Volunteer Mentor

Amy Young, UW

Volunteer Mentor

Velerie-Rose Dancel UW

Volunteer Mentor

Shafaq Buttar, UW

Volunteer Mentor

Cynthia Arenas, HMC

Volunteer Mentor

Brittney Van, UW

Volunteer Mentor and Marketing Committee

Sammy Skier, VU

Volunteer Mentor and Marketing Committee

Sagar Lamichhane, UT-Dallas

Marketing Committee

Katelyn Aleman

Finance Committee

Dave Young, UW

Volunteer Mentor

John Luu, UPS


Volunteer Mentor

Lily Hao Li, Wash U

Volunteer Mentor

Philipos Alebachew Harvard

Volunteer Mentor

Tate Suarez, CMU

Volunteer Mentor

Christina Pan, Washs

Marketing Committee

Hong Ta

Co-Founder, Executive Director

Jazmine Bailey

Programming Director

Smriti Lamichhane

Strategy Director

Selina Franovic

Administrative Director

Endy Huynh, UPenn

Volunteer Coordinator and Mentor

Tommy Mac, UW

People & Community Engagement Coordinator, and Mentor

Sandy Chen, Cornell

Finance Chair and Mentor

Lena Ngo, UW

Admin and Marketing Committee

Ali Karim, UW

Volunteer Mentor

Theresa Tran, UW

Volunteer Mentor

Anish Bhamidpati, SLU

Volunteer Mentor

Amy Young, UW

Volunteer Mentor

Velerie-Rose Dancel UW

Volunteer Mentor

Shafaq Buttar, UW

Volunteer Mentor

Cynthia Arenas, HMC

Volunteer Mentor

Brittney Van, UW

Volunteer Mentor and Marketing Committee

Sammy Skier, VU

Volunteer Mentor and Marketing Committee

Sagar Lamichhane, UT-Dallas

Marketing Committee

Katelyn Aleman

Finance Committee

Dave Young, UW


Volunteer Mentor

John Luu, UPS


Volunteer Mentor

Lily Hao Li, Wash U

Volunteer Mentor

Philipos Alebachew, Harvard

Volunteer Mentor

Tate Suarez, CMU

Volunteer Mentor

Christina Pan, Washs

Marketing Committee

Interested in working with us? 

Email us at [email protected]!

Hi, I’m Alan Nava, president of Take on College and a passionate advocate for advancing equity and opportunity. I graduated from a Master’s degree in User Experience/User Interface Research and Design at the University of Michigan School of Information, where I combine academic rigor with lived experience to inform my work.

As a first-generation migrant and college student, I earned my undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan, majoring in International Studies and minoring in Latinx Studies and Community Action and Social Change. These fields laid the foundation for my commitment to empowering marginalized communities through education and meaningful engagement.

Right now, I’m focused on leveraging technology to expand the reach and impact of justice-oriented initiatives—building tools and experiences that uplift and serve disenfranchised populations.

Outside of work, I practice mindfulness through meditation, yoga, and journaling. I also enjoy boxing, weightlifting, and relaxing with a good movie in my free time

Hi, I’m Ngoc-Vy—an immigrant, a first-generation high school graduate, and now a proud first-generation college graduate with a Master’s in Health Administration from the University of Washington, where I became a two-time Husky! As the eldest daughter in a low-income, single-parent household, I’ve overcome many challenges navigating the world of higher education.

Along the way, I’ve gained valuable experience with scholarships and grants, FAFSA applications, and balancing school, work, and life. I’m passionate about sharing what I’ve learned and giving back to students who come from similar backgrounds.

Currently, I serve as the Community Health Care Coordination Manager at Project Access Northwest, where I help underserved communities access essential health care and related services. I also proudly serve as the DEI Vice-Chair for the American College of Healthcare Executives, advocating for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the health care space.

In my free time, I love taking walks with my husband, Conner, and our two dogs, Coco and Louis

Hello, I’m Susanna. I immigrated from Hong Kong to the U.S. as a child and became the first in my family to attend college and earn a master’s degree—earning my B.A. from Pomona College and my M.B.A. from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. Driven by a deep commitment to community service, I’ve spent many years volunteering locally and, in 2018, expanded that service by joining the Board of Education for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District in the San Francisco Bay Area. I’m honored to be the first and only AANHPI elected in SRVUSD’s history, and I proudly served as Board President in 2021.

Currently, I serve on several Executive Boards, including the API School Board Members Association, the Tri-Valley Chapter of the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA), and the San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs. I’m also an active member of the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), and its Western affiliate (WACAC), where I work to uphold ethical standards in the college admissions process.

In my professional practice as an Independent Educational Consultant, I guide high school students and their families through the complexities of college admissions to help them find their best-fit schools. I’m thrilled to join the Board of Take on College and continue supporting students in reaching their post-high school dreams.

My name is Lily and I am originally from San Diego, California. I moved to Tacoma, WA for college at the University of Puget Sound where I studied Business Administration and International Political Economy. After graduating in May, I started working as an Admission Officer for Puget Sound. I love the Pacific Northwest and being outdoors, eating good food with friends, and traveling! I am excited to be a part of TakeOnCollege and share expertise on college applications and admissions.

Hi, I’m Lisa Young, a proud Washington native who earned my BS in Biology and BA in Psychology from the University of Washington. I’m currently a fourth-year medical student at Johns Hopkins. As a low-income student myself, I’m deeply passionate about promoting accessibility and inclusion for first-generation and low-income students in academic spaces. Outside of medicine, I love spending time in nature—whether it’s hiking, swimming in oceans and lakes, or going for a run to unwind.

Hi, I’m Nick, a recent graduate with a Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan. I’m a huge airplane nerd, engineer, and flight instructor. When I’m not working, I try to travel as much as possible – I’ve been to 45 countries so far!

Hi, I’m Hong Ta (she/her), an education advocate and the founding Executive Director of Take on College. I graduated from the University of Puget Sound and also work with the Southeast Seattle Education Coalition. hello!!

Hey! My name is Jazmine and I’m a class of 2023 University of Michigan graduate with B.S.E. in Industrial and Operations Engineering. I am currently working as an Account Management Strategy Analyst at Synchrony. I have been volunteering with Take on College since 2021 and currently serve as the Programming Director, so please reach out with any questions about the programs we offer! 

Hi everyone! My name is Smriti and I just graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. Currently, I work as a Marketing Analyst at Reynolds American Inc. I have been part of Take on College for over four years and super excited to continue doing good work and helping first generation students get into college. Hook Em’

I am a first-generation college student who graduated from the University of Michigan in 2023 with a B.S.E. in Industrial and Operations Engineering. I currently work in Grand Rapids, MI as an operations manager in the packaging industry. I’ve been the administrative director at Take on College since 2021 (just before the pandemic). Ask me how many languages I speak for a long winded answer!

I am a first-generation undergraduate Nursing student at the University of Pennsylvania. My family immigrated from Vietnam to Georgia when I was 5 years old, and I grew up attending schools within a federally funded public education system. I believe that everyone has an opportunity to share their “why” college story, and my job is to fan that spark of passion and commitment for higher education

Hello! My name is Sandy, and I am a student at Cornell University’s ILR School. As a first-generation student, I took part in the ToC Summer Fellowship Program and the Fall Mentorship Program, which proved to be tremendously helpful and supportive in my transition post high school. In my free time, I love exploring cafes with friends, collecting stationery, and playing mahjong. 

Hello! My name is Lena and I’m currently a student at the University of Washington studying psychology and am on the pre-med track. I’m a first-gen Vietnamese student. Outside of school, I love to crochet, knit, and hang out with my dogs or friends!

Hi! I’m Theresa and I’m a student at the University of Washington in Seattle majoring in Computer Science.

Hello! My name is Anish Bhamidipati, and I am a sophomore at Saint Louis University studying biology! I love to play basketball, football, and hike in my spare time in the Great Northwest! I am excited to aide you guys in you own individual journeys for applying to your dream colleges!

Hi, my name is Amy! I’m a molecular biology and psychology student at the University of Washington. I’m interested in pursuing a career in medicine, and I like to spend my time, outside of school, swimming and playing badminton with my family!

Hi! My name is Velerie and I am an undergrad student at the University of Washington. I am on the pre-nursing track with a minor in nutrition. Aside from academics, I enjoy jewelry making, sewing, making or trying out new foods, playing volleyball, and. hanging out with my loved ones. Coming from a military family, I’ve moved from place to place and met so many interesting people. As a ToC mentor, I am looking forward to meeting and learning about you to help you work toward getting into a school you’ll love!

Hi! My name is Shafaq, and I’m a student at the University of Washington, majoring in biology (physiology) and minoring in music. In my free time, I love dancing, traveling, and cross stitching. During my college application process, I was a mentee at Take on College, and having someone review my essays was incredibly helpful. I’m thrilled to now have the opportunity to help others navigate their college applications!

Hi there! I’m Cynthia Arenas, a sophomore at Harvey Mudd College pursuing a joint degree in Computer Science and Mathematics. I’m originally from Portland, Oregon, and I’m super passionate about becoming a Software Engineer. When I’m not coding games or building websites, you can usually find me on the tennis court or grabbing boba with friends. This will be my second year as a mentor with Take on College, and I’m so excited to support TOC Fellows as best I can!

Having been a mentee myself, I couldn’t say no to the opportunity to become a mentor—and I’m so glad I didn’t. My experience with Dalisa was truly memorable. It gave me the chance to share the kind of advice I wish I’d had when I was in her position. Over the course of two and a half months, the connection Dalisa and I developed grew remarkably strong. What started as polite conversations blossomed into meaningful exchanges, where we’d talk about our days over Zoom. This journey has been incredibly rewarding, and my greatest hope is that I’ve made a positive impact on Dalisa’s life.

Hey everyone! My name is Sammy and I’m an incoming freshman at Vanderbilt University pursuing a degree in Political Science. I was a mentee in the 2024 SFP Cohort and the experience I’ve gained from it was priceless. I wanted to continue sharing this experience by becoming a mentor for the program as well as a marketing member to continue boosting Take on College’s goals! In my free time I love to play poker and spend time at the gym with friends.

Hi, my name is Sagar, and I’m currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at the University of Texas at Dallas. I have a passion for creativity and problem-solving, whether it’s through writing code, folding origami, sketching in my free time, or immersing myself into games. Lately, I’ve been especially hooked on Minecraft, so let me know if you wanna play!!

Hi! My name is Katelyn Alemán, and I am interested in studying finance in college. I live in Los Angeles, CA. My hobbies include painting and relaxing at the beach!

Hi, my name is Dave! I’m a biology and psychology student at the University of Washington. I’m interested in pursuing a career in either medicine or research. Outside of academics, I like to spend my time playing badminton, swimming, chess, and going hiking!

Hello! My name is John and I am a biology student at the University of Puget Sound! In my free time, I enjoy long-distance running, playing the piano, and spending time with friends. As a ToC mentor, I am excited to support you and help you begin this next chapter of your lives with confidence and success!

Hi! My name is Lily, and I’m from Chapel Hill, NC. I’m an incoming student at Washington University in St. Louis, studying computational biology and education. In my free time, I love painting, baking, and trying out new foods. My favorite drinks are matcha latte and boba tea. I was a mentee in the Summer 2024 Cohort, so I’m excited to share my experiences and stories with you and help you through your college application journey. I can’t wait to meet everyone soon!

Hello! I’m Philipos, I’m from Las Vegas, and I will be studying computer science at Harvard this Fall. I love writing, politics, playing video games, and going down random internet rabbit holes. I can’t wait to support you through this college journey!

Hi I’m Tate, one of the newest mentors for Take On College!! I’m currently a rising sophomore at Carnegie Mellon University studying Mechanical Engineering. TOC provided an immense amount of help during my college application process my senior year, and I’m so excited to give back to the community this summer and support others on their journey! Thank you so much to TOC for having me on the 2025-2026 team🫶🏼can’t wait to meet y’all! 

Hi everyone, I’m Christina!!! I am currently a senior at Waynesboro Area Senior High School :) I was a mentee in the 2025 SFP Cohort and benefited so much from it! The experience I gained led me to want to help Take on College even more, which is why I joined the marketing team! A few things I enjoy include: ice cream, Formula 1, and anything Snoopy :))Hi, I’m Hong Ta (she/her), an education advocate and the founding Executive Director of Take on College. I graduated from the University of Puget Sound and also work with the Southeast Seattle Education Coalition.