Team - IN College Liftoff

Team

When it comes to the college planning process we are confidence creators. One part cheerleader, one part Sherpa. Wielding a proven process honed from years of experience, we unlock educated paths forward. Taking all factors into consideration.

Our team comes from diverse backgrounds—from education to non-profits to real estate (to even engineering!). We all flocked here, from our own professional corners, for one common purpose: to help families like yours take back control of the college application process; and help kids actually find their own unique brightest futures.

After all, isn’t that what college is really supposed to be about?

Our college planning advisors are highly trained and have a true passion for helping your teen find their best path and potential. We’ve seen it, and they’ve been hand-picked (through a highly selective process) for that reason. That, and they are communication wizards with the otherworldly ability to relate to your teen while mentoring, guiding, and encouraging them through what would otherwise be a stressful and confusing college search.

This is what an emotional decision looks like when balanced with logic and discipline. We are here for you.

Meet our ALL-IN Team.

Bexley Campus

Richard Albeit

Client Relationship Manager

Yoshi Akutsu

Lead Advisor

Alecea Howell

College Planning Advisor

Carlos Mendez

College Planning Advisor

Siân Lewis

College Planning Advisor

Powell Campus

Heather Rock

Client Relationship Manager

Emma Mote

Director of Advisor Core/Lead Advisor

Hannah Laubach

College Planning Advisor

Chris Prculovski

College Planning Advisor

Liana Dickerson

College Planning Advisor

Upper Arlington / Columbus Central Campus

Melissa Thompson

Client Relationship Manager

Juleanna Smith

Lead Advisor

Eric Martinez

College Planning Advisor

Reilly Grealis

College Planning Advisor

Samantha Rubinoski

College Planning Advisor

Corporate and Community Team

Aaron Greene

Chief Executive Officer

John Krulcik

Chief Financial Officer

Alexandra Greene

Chief Strategy Officer

Stephanie Griffith Crigger

Chief Commercial Officer

Paige Chapman-Layland

Director of Research, Collegiate Information and Writing Center

Emma Mote

Director of Advisor Core/Lead Advisor

Sara Kapaj

Community Outreach and Lead Advisor

Our Locations

Bexley Campus
2511 E. Main Street
Bexley, OH 43209

Powell Campus
3897 W. Powell Road
Powell, OH 43065

Upper Arlington/Columbus
Central Campus
5202 Bethel Reed Park, Ste. 140
Columbus, OH 43220

National/Virtual
Campus

Coming Soon 2021:
New Albany Campus

© 2020 All Rights Reserved.

Responsive Web Design by Generations Beyond

Melissa Thompson

Client Relationship Manager at Upper Arlington / Columbus Central Campus

Managing our client relationships at IN—The College Planning Experts has added layers for me as a parent. My son is currently in the program. The personalization IN offers is unique and invaluable to us as a family. IN allows me to truly give the most personal of testimonials to other families about how important the work we do with students is. Watching the time, effort, energy, and care our group puts forth for each and every student is inspirational. The level of expertise shared with the student gives confidence and comfort to our families, and they realize they have placed their children in good hands.

At the end of the day, as a parent, knowing our children are being challenged, encouraged, and assisted on the path to adulthood is all we can ask for. I am truly blessed to have found that at IN; not only for my child but for countless others who have entrusted us to share the IN experience with their children.

Heather Rock

Client Relationship Manager at Powell Campus

I came to IN—The College Planning Experts as a mom first. My good friend referred me (both her kids had great success going through the process) when I mentioned how stressed we were about starting the college planning process for our high school junior. Things have changed so much since my husband and I applied for college almost 30 years ago. After learning about IN I knew I wanted to be a part of it!

I have a background in real estate and learned that investing in college is a lot like buying a home! I am so excited not only to be working here at IN with amazing individuals but also getting to helping people! As a Client Relationship Manger, let me help you!

My oldest just started this process with IN and my freshman will be starting the process next year. I know my girls are in great hands.

If you are feeling the stress of college planning or have questions in general I would love to talk with you and introduce you to our program.

Richard Albeit

Client Relationship Manager at Bexley Campus

I came to IN—The College Planning Experts after a 17 year career in education where I was a teacher, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, and finally a Principal. The majority of that time was spent with high school-aged students, most of whom aspired to be college graduates. In that time I saw thousands of students graduate from high school and move on to college. I also found that, unfortunately, far too many of them walked away from college before graduating. Many others left with significant student loan debt or with degrees that weren’t transferable into today’s job/career market.

Just like the majority of schools across the country, the school where I worked was set up to prepare students for college to the absolute best of our ability. However, both higher education and the job market have evolved, adapted, and progressed at a significantly different rate than K–12 education. The college-planning information gap that exists because of this evolution has created a fractured infrastructure resulting in billions of dollars of student loan debt and countless students working toward degrees that were an afterthought behind simply getting into college.

While launching a new middle school I was introduced to IN (formerly College Liftoff). I immediately knew that I wanted my students to have the opportunity to experience the college-planning process from this program’s perspective. My school was lucky enough to secure IN as a class in the building, and after working with them over the course of the school year I learned that the program has changed the college trajectory of hundreds of students’ lives. The secret doesn’t lie in simply finding scholarship dollars or helping with the college essays, but rather the holistic, personalized advising that goes into each individual student. Inevitably, through this process students find out more about themselves, what they want from life, where they want to be, and how to get there.

The process used by IN has been life-changing for hundreds of families and I wanted to be a part of that change. Given my background and experience, I bring an empathetic and understanding perspective to the table. More importantly, I’m passionate about the potential systemic change this process can have on the gap that exists between K–12 education and college, as well as maximizing the personal and financial benefits for each college-bound student.

Juleanna Smith

Lead Advisor at Upper Arlington / Columbus Central Campus

My passion for college planning came before I started working at IN—The College Planning Experts. It all started when I was a new college graduate trying to figure out my place in the world. I was unemployed and living with my parents. Confused and feeling a bit defeated, I made a visit to a local career counselor.

I had no idea what career I wanted to pursue, despite graduating with a Bachelor’s degree. The counselor and I both discussed the many flaws of higher education and how many students are in my exact position after graduating from college. In that moment, sitting with a career counselor, I realized that I wanted to be in her position but in a different way. I wanted to help individuals plan their future before they got to the point of feeling defeated. In other words, I knew I needed to work with students before they went off to college.

It’s a blessing to have the opportunity to prevent my experience from happening to others. I get to help students build the confidence to know they can go to college and pursue a career they love no matter the circumstance. Seeing the excitement in a student’s face once they realize this is all possible is the greatest reward. Once this confidence is built, there is no stopping our students from reaching their goals.

Yoshi Akutsu

Lead Advisor at Bexley Campus

As a college planning advisor at IN—The College Planning Experts I arm students with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about college. When looking at careers with a student all I ask for is that they tell me exactly what it is they are looking at and why they do or don’t like it. While cliche, I truly do believe knowledge is power. Knowing what’s out there and what you’re getting into allows for confidence and comfort. Those two are key to not only succeeding in one’s chosen program but also for satisfaction down the line.

Those are things I provide students. My curious, patient approach to college planning understands that asking questions to make students think deeply, and giving students adequate time to answer those questions is a real recipe for success. Each student is wholly capable of making the decision that is right for them. All they really need is a non-judgmental space where they can feel comfortable to be honest with themselves about how they fit into the world of work.

This approach comes from my experience working with foreign students after teaching EFL in Japan for a year and my own path studying liberal arts in college. In particular, I have come to know the importance of time for self-reflection. I personally found my love of education and intercultural communication through the process of studying deeply during undergrad. While interests change, with thoughtful observation over time we can find our right path. This rings just as true for me as it does for my students. That is why I am so happy to use IN—The College Planning Experts’ careful guided process of college planning.

Aaron Greene

Chief Executive Officer at Corporate and Community Team

My passion for empowering students and families to find their personal best path through education started from navigating my own. I entered college having to foot the bill myself and it made me begin thinking about how we “buy” college differently. It really is an asset buy, but in this country we don’t treat it that way. So, knowing myself and what I wanted to do after college I started researching majors and schools with the programs I felt would get me there. I studied their rankings, graduation rates, and average starting salaries. Then I negotiated scholarships and considered the total cost for me versus what I would make getting out of college.

By making the choices I did I was fortunate to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a $40,000 surplus. So no debt; I actually made money going to college! And I was able to use the money I’d made to buy rental properties to rent out to my friends, who were mostly struggling.

And now, after all this time, I am passionate about continuing to help students and families treat higher education in the same way—by making it work for them. I’m so proud of the mission and team we here at IN—The College Planning Experts have created. And I can’t wait to continue to build bright futures for so many more young people and families out there.

John Krulcik

Chief Financial Officer at Corporate and Community Team

My wife has reminded me that after four decades of a successful large corporation accounting/finance career I am failing at retirement. She also is quick to comment that my role as CFO for IN—The College Planning Experts ranks at the top of the most important roles in my career.

My journey to IN—The College Planning Experts began with my firsthand knowledge that too many college students and graduates were accumulating crushing loads of student debt but facing career job prospects with limited compensation to pay off the debt. This was a huge national problem that I wanted to add my business experience to solving before I retired. But how?

Fortunately, early in 2016 I was introduced to Aaron Greene and the IN—The College Planning Experts process of linking career choices and college selection to a basic Return On Investment evaluation. Aaron’s thinking and process were game-changing because it allowed families to make fact-based decisions on career, college selection, and the post-secondary education cost to achieve the career objectives. No one else was doing this and I knew I wanted and could help Aaron grow his business to allow more families to benefit from the IN—The College Planning Experts process.

Today, at IN we are helping more families than ever take the mystery out of their childrens’ post-secondary education decisions. An indicator of the value of our work is validated frequently by the number of new client referrals by past clients and by the number of families who are repeat clients.

I’m not ready to retire yet. I’m having too much fun helping with the important work of IN—The College Planning Experts!

Alexandra Greene

Chief Strategy Officer at Corporate and Community Team

Back when I was in high school I applied to schools I thought would have fun parties, warm weather, and football games. I never once considered they might not even have my desired major.

I found that out after I went off to college; and as a result I was unprepared to pursue my dream career. Eventually, I switched gears and got my real estate license.

As a Realtor I began working with clients well into adulthood saddled with so much student loan debt they struggled to qualify to buy a modest home. It really hit me that their parents must’ve thought they were doing all they could to ensure their children’s success, only to unknowingly set them up for hardship in life by doing it the wrong way.

I knew there had to be a better way.

When I met IN—The College Planning Experts’ founder Aaron Greene I knew he had created the better way. I became incredibly impassioned to help spread the word about how we can do college better—the right way—to help launch young people to success.

As IN—The College Planning Experts’ Chief Strategy Officer I get to do just that. On the day to day I have a hand in many different areas of this mission—from advising students and working to further community education, to creating college planning materials to having real conversations with families. I am passionate about changing the way our society “does” higher education while working tirelessly to change our society’s narrative to make the future bright.

Stephanie Griffith Crigger

Chief Commercial Officer at Corporate and Community Team

Before joining IN—The College Planning Experts I was a parent needing help with directing my then 15-year-old to college, and that’s even after my husband and I had gone to every meeting offered through our children’s high school and local organizations! We did all the research and the “right” things.

Still, we weren’t completely confident we knew what we were doing. So, we checked out IN. Walking into IN’s free Family Discovery Meeting with our son we were all overwhelmed and readied with questions! But after only a few minutes we realized our perception was all wrong.

It wasn’t about a “certain school” or perfect grades. It was about fit and function. In less than an hour our shoulders literally dropped to a relaxed pose. Our son was smiling and excited for his future as well as the potential of not only identifying what careers he may align with but also with what school suited his preferences academically and socially.

Flash forward two years and our son is living his best college life! Our daughter was college-bound. We had already gone through the program once. We paid very close attention. Surely, we didn’t need IN to help our second child.

WRONG! We started the program with our son as a sophomore. Our daughter was a senior. Would IN even be able to help us?

Thank goodness, YES! We quickly corrected course and went through the entire process, along with a great deal of dedication on our daughter’s part. Now both of our kids have found their fit and career paths (Thank you Aaron Greene!).

Then, opportunity knocked.

Not only had IN given our kids bright pathways to a successful future, they gave me an amazing opportunity most of us have worked our entire careers to accomplish: an opportunity to make a difference personally and professionally.

Our culture here at IN—The College Planning Experts is exquisite. Every team member has a voice. Every door at every level remains open. All of us work tirelessly to be better. WE strive to help every family we meet so they too can feel the confidence of their investment in their children and be confident they did it right.

Evolution is change; and it’s pretty awesome to be a part of such greatness.

Paige Chapman-Layland

Director of Research, Collegiate Information and Writing Center at Corporate and Community Team

While waiting to board a much-delayed flight in Mek’ele, Ethiopia I met a professor who was eager to come to the US to study engineering. We talked for hours, exchanging contacts before we went our separate ways in Addis Ababa. We stayed in touch via Facebook and a year later, after a lot of research on both ends, Demissew began his electrical engineering PhD program at FSU.

When I was asked to join the IN—The College Planning Experts (formerly College Liftoff) team six years later, I knew my previous college planning experience for one student was simply that—planning for one individual. One of the things I love best about working with IN is the personalized approach we take with each client. We know there isn’t a ‘perfect’ school out there, but rather a perfect fit in a great program for each person we work with. So often, in the process of career development we help our clients recognize strengths and proclivities they didn’t necessarily recognize in themselves, leading to careers they never envisioned.

As the Director of Collegiate Research (and the Writing Center!) I spend a great deal of time expanding IN’s services throughout Columbus and beyond. Whether we work one-on-one with a high school junior or prospective graduate student, with a group in an after school program, or share a workshop with parents, I know that we’re giving great information and support as people navigate this ever more complex college planning process.

After pursuing an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a graduate degree in Education I never imagined (to be fair, an industry that didn’t really exist when I graduated from college) a career in college planning, but I can’t imagine a better fit for me. It seems like IN has helped me determine strengths and proclivities I hadn’t recognized in myself either.

Emma Mote

Director of Advisor Core/Lead Advisor at Powell Campus, Corporate and Community Team

My journey with IN—The College Planning Experts began in the Fall of 2016 when I joined the staff as a marketing intern. After just a few short months with IN I knew I wanted to affect change in this world, so I transitioned into advisory work. I made the jump because our mission at IN is something I wished I had heard as a high schooler.

When I was planning for college my plan began and ended with “fit”. Ohio State had a great football team, my high school buddies were going there, and that just about checked every box in my mind. But when I got there I never felt so lost. Throughout high school I had consistently been told “not to worry” about what I wanted to pursue as a career. Within the first semester I realized what a grave mistake that was. I really lacked direction to connect me to the real reason I was at college—to learn a skill set and secure a job I loved afterwards.

With luck, by the end of freshman year I happened into the right degree path for me—a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication. However, that lack of direction my freshman year cost me and manifested in taking a fifth year to graduate—aka, an extra year of tuition! I was lucky to find the right career path for me, but many others aren’t. It’s silly that as a society we habitually leave a decision worth $80–250k up to chance. That’s why I am so passionate about working with our clients at IN—The College Planning Experts to help them find the right school at the right price!

Alecea Howell

College Planning Advisor at Bexley Campus

Growing up I always thought I wanted to be a teacher. As I got older though, I realized that I didn’t necessarily want to teach a specific subject. I wanted to “teach” about life. I always sought roles in high school and in college that allowed me to be a mentor and help others based on my own experiences, and that’s something I wanted to seek in a career.

In college, I majored in psychology because I love learning about people. We all have our own experiences in life that have shaped our identity and I love deciphering the little details that make someone who they are. I constantly seek new knowledge; whether it’s cultural, something pertaining to the media, or even just quirky and interesting facts that not many people know. I truly believe that knowledge is power and I want to be able to not only share my passion for learning but help foster someone else’s passion in learning about something they love.

As a first-generation college student I understand how difficult it can be navigating the vast conversation surrounding college. Working with students as a College Planning Advisor really gives me the opportunity to do something I love day in and day out. I love being a mentor to students and alleviating their families’ stress. Most importantly, I love making a difference in students’ lives by saving them time and money and finding the best college fit for them from the start.

Hannah Laubach

College Planning Advisor at Powell Campus

I picked out my major in 7th grade and I didn’t change my mind through my college graduation. That’s not because it was the right major for me, but because I didn’t even think about other paths or what I wanted to do with my degree. So now as a Client Planning Advisor I encourage our clients to think about the nuances of each degree without forgetting the big picture. College planning isn’t just about ensuring a great college experience by picking the right school, but preparing for an exciting career afterwards.

I’m also putting my English degree to good use in IN—The College Planning Experts’ Writing Center. I hope not only to help our clients perfect their Common App essays way before the deadline, but also to give them the writing tips and tricks they need to step into a new academic landscape.

When I’m not helping students I love to travel and read (I was an English major after all). From the Amazon to the Alps, all the places I’ve been make up who I am today. I’ll read anything; so send your best book recommendations my way.

Eric Martinez

College Planning Advisor at Upper Arlington / Columbus Central Campus

Like many students, I faced uncertainty entering my senior year of high school. What colleges should I apply to? How do I fill out an application? Should I even go to college? It would have been wise to figure all of this out my junior year, but I was a bit of a procrastinator. Most of my friends were attending regional colleges like Kent State or Akron, so I followed in their footsteps without giving it much thought.

I did not adapt well to life at Kent State and decided to take a year off. Unfortunately, one year turned into three. After putting my life together (not an easy task), I returned to pursuing a degree in psychology—only this time at a community college. I gained a passion for education and college success.

Now I get to put my passion to work by guiding students and parents through the chaotic adventure known as the college admissions process. Yes, this journey can be overwhelming, but what I love most about working at IN—The College Planning Experts is our dedication to guiding students to a successful future.

Chris Prculovski

College Planning Advisor at Powell Campus

My journey to IN—The College Planning Experts was one similar to many that started many years ago. I was nearing the end of my high school career and had next to no idea what I wanted to do. Going to The Ohio State University I chose to study logistics, quite frankly just because it sounded like a good thing to tell people. Halfway through my sophomore year however, I realized it wasn’t a passion of mine and it just felt like work. Switching over to Consumer and Family Financial Services I realized I could do something that I had an actual interest in: helping others.

Today, I’m using the experiences I’ve gained through my own trials and tribulations (and from those around me) to pass on my knowledge and help prevent some of the problems that weren’t necessary for my academic career. Everybody follows a different path, especially in college, and I love helping those find the right one for them.

Reilly Grealis

College Planning Advisor at Upper Arlington / Columbus Central Campus

As a recent college graduate I have become incredibly familiar with the anxieties and realities that come with college. My passion for helping students came during my time at OSU when I worked as a student administrative assistant at OSU’s College of Dentistry Admissions office. It was here that I recognized that I love to help students discover their life and career paths.

When graduating from high school I chose a college based solely on what campus I liked and very quickly into my freshman year realized that the university I had chosen wasn’t for me and that I had based my entire future off of a “gut feeling”. After transferring I then had my dream school but not my major. I chose to become an English major, and while I loved every moment of my degree I came to realize that I really went into college without a clue of where I wanted to end up.

Overall, I love to assist students in any possible way to avoid these unknowns. I love the process that IN has created to help students avoid what I had to face. Going in with a plan is definitely the best option, and my passion is helping students create that plan!

Samantha Rubinoski

College Planning Advisor at Upper Arlington / Columbus Central Campus

Growing up with a mom as the director of a non-profit youth organization, my passion for investing in youth and education was instilled in me from a young age. I was born and raised in Columbus, OH, enveloped in the omnipresence that is The Ohio State University. My parents, grandfather, aunts, cousins, etc. all attended OSU with many pursuing careers there postgrad. Our family epitomizes the idea of being proud alumni. So, when the time came to apply for college there was no looking elsewhere. I majored in Education and began classes that fall.

Although the road which led me to Ohio State seemed like a natural progression I was quickly overcome by a sense of uncertainty. I began to question the path I had chosen and felt directionless. After switching my major several times I decided on Human Development Family Studies because the courses were interesting and I needed to finish before I amassed an insurmountable amount of debt.

The sense of relief from graduating was quickly replaced with questions about what was next. After devoting time after college to volunteering and traveling abroad I realized I was passionate about education and investing in the community, but in a more general sense, rather than teaching a specific subject. While working in Denver as a case manager for High Schoolers struggling to find their own path, something clicked. I wanted to help students find their source of motivation and encourage them to explore their own passions purposefully. IN—The College Planning Experts has allowed me the opportunity to do just that. Through our process I’m fortunate to witness students become excited at the prospect of entering both college and their careers with confidence.

Carlos Mendez

College Planning Advisor at Bexley Campus

I was a first generation college student and my parents were immigrants who were not acquainted with the college admissions process. So, deciding where I wanted to go college, what I wanted to study, and how I was going to afford it was an absolute nightmare. It felt like a very lonely process and the stress of college admissions had a negative impact on my Senior year.

I was however very lucky to have mentors to help guide me through the application process. But I still was not sure what I wanted to actually study until about my third year in college. At that point I decided to stick with my biological engineering major even though I wasn’t passionate about the field. After college I had the opportunity to work in a Nanodiamond lab, which only further strengthened my conviction that bioengineering was the wrong area for me.

As a College Planning Advisor I have the pleasure of helping students decide on the right career and school choice—and not just attend the college their friends are going to. It’s my mission to help students avoid the overwhelming and stressful feelings of planning for their future. I also love helping students pick a college that will not leave them in debt for decades, like so many students do today. I love helping students and families make the right, educated decisions and to help them feel comfortable and optimistic about the future.

Liana Dickerson

College Planning Advisor at Powell Campus

Growing up in a small town I had always been involved in my community whether it was peer focused or society driven. When your heart is authentically put into situations that create happiness you chase that feeling until it’s captured, and you do your best to hold on tight. Educating, supporting, and encouraging the people closest to me eventually turned what was a hobby into a passion.

College was always on my mind when I was in high school, and I was a little too sure about the professional track and school I wanted to pursue. That seemingly irrevocable and unguided choice about my future that was chosen at 18 years old undoubtedly hurt me in the long run. I spent years in the wrong program and major resulting in additional years of my college career, thousands of dollars of extra debt, and the regression of the positive feelings for something that was supposed to make me happy. Enjoying your employment for the rest of your life is worth the time it takes to discover it.

My experience is far too common; I want to guide the youth and beyond into revealing something that genuinely interests them. IN—The College Planning Experts allows us to help grow the knowledge and wellbeing of students that will give them the proper tools to succeed pre, during, and post-college graduation.

I believe that everyone deserves a chance to be happy in their profession and I love helping students find that passion and drive.

Sara Kapaj

Community Outreach and Lead Advisor at Corporate and Community Team

As a first-generation college student graduating from The Ohio State University is one my biggest accomplishments to date. However, as I reflect on my education I am filled with distress as much as I am filled with pride. Reading national student loan debt statistics makes me grapple with the duality of valuing higher education while not knowing exactly how to value it. But that’s where IN—The College Planning Experts can help.

Working at IN, I am able to support students in treating college like any other buying decision, and thus return on investment has to be the driving force. We not only help students get into college, we create an exit strategy that best prepares them for the job market or graduate school afterwards.

I learned of my passion to help students transition to college during my role as a Peer Leader supporting over 250 first year students from orientation through their first year at Ohio State. Seeing students stress over their major, financial aid, and college decision, I knew I wanted to help students before they get to the stage of spending thousands of dollars on a degree that didn’t align with their career goals. At IN I am able to support students in exploring these paths during high school. There is a fit for each student, and with career development and research we can find that fit. Ultimately, I’m excited to know that the work we do with students leads them to their brightest future.

Siân Lewis

College Planning Advisor at Bexley Campus

As an international student from England I really had no idea what I needed to look for when thinking about U.S. colleges. I moved to the U.S. to attend Davidson College in North Carolina without having even visited!

Luckily, I was able to get the experience that I wanted, but the process of choosing the “right” school is one that baffles students and families across the world. While working alongside admission counselors at Davidson I realized the importance of guidance within the college planning process, and how crucial knowledge of higher education can be when making such a big decision.

I’m a College Planning Advisor because I want to help make this experience as smooth, successful, and fun as possible for families. I believe that choosing a college really can be one of the most important decisions that you make. I am dedicated to helping families not fall down the hidden traps that can come from the college process.

I love that my team is dedicated to helping families make this tough decision and I feel lucky to be a part of such an amazing company.