The ALL IN Team - IN College Planning

Meet our ALL-IN Team

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. 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?

Bexley Campus

Heather Rock

Client Relationship Manager

Alecea Howell

Lead Advisor

Drake Hankins

College Planning Advisor

Powell Campus

Heather Rock

Client Relationship Manager

Reilly Grealis

College Planning Advisor and Marketing Coordinator

Samantha Rubinoski

Lead Advisor

Lydia Crannell

College Planning Advisor

Coco Marcil

College Planning Advisor and Writing Center Advisor

Corporate and Community Team

Richard Albeit

Writing Center Manager

Aaron Greene

Chief Executive Officer

John Krulcik

Chief Financial Officer

Emma Mote

Director of Advisor Core

Our Locations

Bexley Campus
2511 E. Main Street
Bexley, OH 43209

Powell Campus
3897 W. Powell Road
Powell, OH 43065

National/Virtual
Campus

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Responsive Web Design by Generations Beyond

Heather Rock

Client Relationship Manager

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 help 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

Writing Center Manager

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

Manager of Advisor Resources

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 and Salesforce Administrator

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

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

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!

Emma Mote

Director of Advisor Core

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!

Paige Chapman-Layland

Director of Research, Collegiate Information & Writing Center

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.

Alecea Howell

Lead Advisor

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.

College Planning Advisor

Reilly Grealis

College Planning Advisor and Marketing Coordinator

I am very familiar with the confusing roadmap that is higher education. After entering college with no idea what I wanted to pursue and then transferring because I was unsure about my school choice, it cost me more time and money than I had anticipated to find my path. Very quickly into my freshman year, I 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.

My passion for helping students came during my time at OSU when I worked as an 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. 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

Lead Advisor

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.

Sara Kapaj

Community Outreach/Lead Advisor

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

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.

Sarah Cook

College Planning Advisor

When I went to college, I was certain my goal was to become a school guidance counselor. I’ve always had a heart for helping people, and especially young people. After visiting multiple schools, I ended up selecting Bowling Green State University purely because the campus wasn’t too big and it also happened to be where my best friend was going. In the beginning, it seemed my best option was to pursue a bachelor’s degree in education. Then, I would go onto graduate school to pursue a degree in counseling.

When I arrived at orientation and shared my plans with my academic advisor, she advised me to switch my major on the spot to Human Development and Family Studies. On the surface, it seemed like the perfect path for someone who wanted to be a guidance counselor. What I didn’t know, however, were any of the specific outcomes of this major; average starting salaries and potential jobs with just this bachelor’s degree were never part of that conversation.

After graduating, I began working at the non-profit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Ohio, which focused on mentoring and also gave me the opportunity to lead an after school program with elementary and middle school students. I loved the work, but felt something was missing. When I heard about IN—The College Planning Experts, I connected with the mission immediately because it hit so close to home. As a college planning advisor, I now have the opportunity to work with students, and provide the help I wish someone would have provided me as a teenager.

Alex Horn

College Planning Advisor

My passion for mentorship and youth development comes from my experience working as a collegiate recreational sports professional for 7 years across 3 different universities. Throughout the opportunities I had to interact with students during that time, I regularly found myself speaking with them about anxiety related to their finances, career, or educational programs. In having those discussions, I realized that I wanted to find a way to help students improve their outcomes before and after college.

Thus, I come to IN with the personal mission of empowering children toward a positive college
experience and a brighter future beyond it. In reflection of my own trials and tribulations as a
student, I realized how valuable strategic planning and guidance could have been to me both
financially and educationally. I graduated from George Mason University with a degree in
Government and the University of Oklahoma with a master’s degree in Higher Education, but
accumulated substantial debt along the way and entered a career field I no longer work in.

While I’ve been able to combine my educational and personal experiences to forge a new path, many of the roadblocks I’ve overcome could have easily been mitigated or avoided with better advising and intentional planning. I plan to bring my experiences as a student and as a professional in higher education to you and your child, with the hope of creating an advising environment that is informative, impactful, and inclusive of your family’s needs and goals.

I’m excited to fulfill my role as a college academic advisor with IN and the families that trust us
with guiding their child’s future. The college selection process is one of the most exciting and
emotional times for any family, and I look forward to being there for all of you as we discover the next step on your children’s journeys.

Drake Hankins

College Planning Advisor

Growing up, I was not sure where I wanted to go to college, what field of study I wanted to
pursue, or what I even wanted to do with my life. Upon graduation, I wanted to be able to help
individuals in some way. As I went through my undergraduate college career, I realized that I
wanted to help people who were going through what I went through with my college process
and make theirs slightly easier.

As a first-generation college student, I struggled with the college process and all the details that came along with it. After I completed my bachelor’s degree at Youngstown State University in General Studies, I went to graduate school at Ohio University to study the development of college students and how I would be able to help those students transition to college.

IN – The College Planning Experts have given me the opportunity to help high school students
before they start their college career and to help guide them in the direction that is meant for
them. Through this position, I will use my passions for helping people and to help students
transition into their biggest decision in their life thus far.

Lydia Crannell

College Planning Advisor

Coming from a family of teachers, college was an ever present post-high school destination. Despite this, my personal application process was tumultuous with unexpected factors from every angle. As a seventeen year old without a resource like In, it was overwhelming.

The majority of my college decision was guided by the topics I was passionate about rather than my best career path or financial success. After many changes, I ended up double majoring in Literature and Music with a minor in Creative Writing at Otterbein University. Thankfully, I loved my school and the opportunities and potential it afforded me. I worked for three years in the university Writing Center, honing my communication and writing skills. I also discovered excitement for collaborating with students while working as a Teaching Assistant at Duke TIP summer programs. Both opportunities encouraged me to fulfill a dream I had been envisioning since high school: teaching abroad. Upon graduating, I moved to South Korea and began teaching English as a second language in three rural public schools.

Although I was surrounded by a new culture and language, I began recognizing similar boundaries that students experience around the world, especially those from lower socioeconomic families. At times it felt like the curriculum wasn’t encouraging all students to reach their best potential. The more time I spent in the classroom, the more I realized that students struggling because of factors out of their control should not be the norm— a belief that goes hand in hand with In’s mission. I have loved working with students in a variety of capacities, so combining that with nonprofit work seems like a dream. I am thrilled and honored to find a home with In as we attempt to make systemic change.

Coco Marcil

College Planning Advisor and Writing Center Advisor

My college journey began when I was fifteen. I discovered a program that would allow me to start college early, and so I went away to college just as many of my friends and peers were embarking on their junior years of high school. My school, Bard College at Simon’s Rock, was very small, and designed specifically for younger students, where about half of the student population transferred out after their sophomore year to be better served by larger institutions. I studied politics and literature, and spent most of my time involved in student organizations, working in the Admissions office, or tutoring other students.

In the winter of my senior year of college, I was accepted to a program to teach English in the southwestern region of France. I ended up finishing college in 2020, but because of COVID-19, that opportunity was suspended. I found myself back in Los Angeles with my parents, and pivoted to working as a home educator for families there and eventually in New York City, where I reported to their family homes and helped their elementary-aged children through the machinations of the school day. I loved this work, because it gave me an opportunity to meet students where they were and identify what they were passionate about. I eventually found my way to Columbus in the fall of 2021, and learned about IN–The College Planning Experts soon after. Though I have enjoyed working with young students in the past, I am looking forward to working with an older demographic. I am excited to utilize these past experiences to inform my work with our clients here at IN, and help them navigate their futures!