MEET YOUR COLLEGE COACH
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Yvonne Espinoza, CEP, is an experienced and highly regarded college counselor based in Austin, offering personalized guidance to students locally and across the country. With over 23 years as a full-time college counselor, Yvonne has supported thousands of students and families in gaining access to a meaningful pre-college experiences, college admissions, and scholarship opportunities through her individualized approach to college advising.
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Yvonne Espinoza, CEP, personally empowers each student to thoughtfully build a personalized list of college opportunities through individualized research and assessment of opportunities, carefully matching their unique academic interests and career goals. She genuinely enjoys mentoring teens, guiding them to both explore and recognize their strengths, effectively manage the college planning process, and remain inspired and motivated throughout their college admissions journey.
Families who work with Yvonne Espinoza often notice their students becoming more confident and informed by enlisting her services. Enlisting the support of a student-centered college counselor with a national level of expertise and credentials can greatly reduce stress, while significantly increasing peace of mind and opportunities for students.
You don't have to wait until senior year to benefit from Yvonne's expertise. Early preparation staring in the 9th - 11th grades can positively impact your student's future. Yvonne specializes in ensuring students understand how to effectively manage the process in a way that enables them to also prioritize their sanity (and that of their parents), helping them to structure college planning and admissions while also making time to be teenagers.
Families who work with Yvonne Espinoza often notice their students becoming more confident and informed by enlisting her services. Enlisting the support of a student-centered college counselor with a national level of expertise and credentials can greatly reduce stress, while significantly increasing peace of mind and opportunities for students.
You don't have to wait until senior year to benefit from Yvonne's expertise. Early preparation staring in the 9th - 11th grades can positively impact your student's future. Yvonne specializes in ensuring students understand how to effectively manage the process in a way that enables them to also prioritize their sanity (and that of their parents), helping them to structure college planning and admissions while also making time to be teenagers.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 19 years as a full-time college counselor in a public high school- Previously working full-time in a high school counseling department as the singular college counselor for 19 years, along with receiving years of professional development and social-emotional training to accompany it, has equipped Yvonne with the expertise to provide the personal, one-on-one support and advocacy that many students and families are seeking to add to this process. Professionals who have worked in a high school counseling office understand the process as it relates to school profiles, admissions materials, as well as the complexities of the timeline specific to different high schools.
- 12 years as the Founder and CEO of Yvonne Espinoza College Counseling Services- As the sole owner of her own private practice, Yvonne is empowered to make decisions customized to each of her clients. She understands the level of work and commitment needed to provide exceptional service to students and families, and is dedicated to going the extra mile to ensure each of her students receives the support they need. She also invests in professional development and leadership training which all contribute to her ability to be the best resource possible for each of her students.
- 2 years as an Outside Admissions Reader for the University of San Francisco- Having worked in admissions for a reputable non-profit institution (as opposed to a for-profit post-secondary institution) provides insight into the admissions evaluation process, as well as college and university expectations during the planning and application process.
- Professional Certifications- Yvonne Espinoza is a Certified Educational Planner, a credential of college counseling excellence shared by only 7 other consultants in Austin and 17 other college consultants in the state of Texas. Mrs. Espinoza also is certified to administer the Strong Interest Inventory to both students and adults.
National Leadership
- Yvonne Espinoza was elected to and currently serves on national college admissions Boards, serving with college admissions leaders and counselors who are leaders in the field:
- Co-Chair, Women Empowering Women Board of Directors
- Common Application Counselor Advisory Board
- Treasurer, Colleges That Change Lives Board of Directors
- Co-Chair, IECA Former School-Based Counselor Committee
Nationally and Locally Acclaimed
Yvonne Espinoza has also received awards from both colleges and city representatives for her college advising accomplishments. Yvonne was most recently inducted to the City of Austin 2024 Women's Hall of Fame in the category of Gender and Race Equity, was a 2024 Finalist for the 2024 Austin Business Journal Women in Business Awards, also receiving the national recognition the 2022 IECA Making a Difference Award, 2021 National Association of College Admission Counseling Inclusion, Access and Success Award, the 2015 Counselor That Changes Lives Award through the Colleges That Change Lives organization, and a City of Austin Certificate of Appreciation "for supporting a student-centered college search process." Yvonne has also received awards in the past 2 decades from the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and from Texas A&M University.
Yvonne Espinoza has also received awards from both colleges and city representatives for her college advising accomplishments. Yvonne was most recently inducted to the City of Austin 2024 Women's Hall of Fame in the category of Gender and Race Equity, was a 2024 Finalist for the 2024 Austin Business Journal Women in Business Awards, also receiving the national recognition the 2022 IECA Making a Difference Award, 2021 National Association of College Admission Counseling Inclusion, Access and Success Award, the 2015 Counselor That Changes Lives Award through the Colleges That Change Lives organization, and a City of Austin Certificate of Appreciation "for supporting a student-centered college search process." Yvonne has also received awards in the past 2 decades from the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and from Texas A&M University.
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Advocacy & Volunteerism
Yvonne Espinoza, CEP, dedicates over 100 hours of community service each year to increasing college access on a local and national level through involvement with local high schools and national non-profits, including ScholarMatch (as a Varsity College Coach, providing training and advice to college consultants on a national level), Girl Scouts of America, the National Charity League, the Young Men's Service League, the Liberal Arts and Science Academy, McCallum High School and Westwood High School. College Visits- In her 23 year career, Mrs. Espinoza has visited over 150 college campuses across the country through counselor visits and invitation-only programs. She strongly believes it is essential for college counselors to participate in those in-depth learning experiences annually in order to build relationships with college admissions offices and better advise her students. |
personal background
On a personal note, Yvonne was born and raised in Austin, TX, and with the help of retired Independent Educational Consultant (IEC), Peggy Manley, attended Boston University with a very generous scholarship and also lived in Madrid, Spain, for one year.
The life-changing guidance she received from Peggy Manley (who to this day is a friend of hers), inspired her to eventually devote her career to the world of college access. Yvonne knows first-hand what a difference experienced, personalized guidance can make in choosing, applying to, and selecting a college, and she believes every student deserves to have a college counselor who believes in them to achieve their college dreams.
A self-described foodie and traveler, Yvonne enjoys spending time either in Austin or across the globe with her loving husband of 15 years, and living out her "crazy dog lady" dreams with her five very spoiled dogs.
A self-described foodie and traveler, Yvonne enjoys spending time either in Austin or across the globe with her loving husband of 15 years, and living out her "crazy dog lady" dreams with her five very spoiled dogs.
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