This week’s Meet A Mom, is Kelly Dubreuil, Founder of Southern College Consulting. As an Educator and a Parent having personally navigated the extensive college admissions process with her own children, Kelly decided to earn her Independent Education Consultant Certificate in order to help other students and parents have a more confident and enjoyable college admissions process. Kelly “believes that all parents should have peace of mind that they’re sending their student to an environment where they can thrive.” Get to know Kelly below and how can she can help simply the college admission process for you and your family!
Q & A
Hi Kelly, where are you from?
I was raised and went to college in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. After graduating from James Madison University, I began moving around as a military spouse. I have lived in eleven different locations, including Germany, Hawaii, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, and Georgia.
How many kids do you have?
I have two children. My son is a graduate of the University of Georgia. He lives in Roswell and works as a manager in PwC’s SAP Controls, Security, and GRC practice. My daughter is a graduate of the University of Delaware and lives in Philadelphia. She is an Assistant 3D Technical Designer at URBN for the brand Anthropologie.
What do you love about Peachtree City and surrounding areas?
Peachtree City and the area is an all-around great place to live. It perfectly combines restaurants and shopping, fitness and health, and community activities alongside nature and green space. Trilith Studios and all the other local filming is exciting for my family, especially because we are big Marvel and Walking Dead fans. It is also a great launching pad for travel, one of my favorite things to do.
What’s your favorite restaurant and/or place to shop in Peachtree City and/or surrounding areas?
Two of my favorite restaurants are Frank’s @ the Old Mill and Due South. I love going to unique restaurants, and I am fond of Mediterranean and upscale Southern food.
Tell us about your career?
I have been an educator all my life. I began my career as a kindergarten teacher. As we moved around, I taught in various educational settings that allowed me to raise my children. After my husband retired from the military and my children were off to college, I had the opportunity to focus on my career. That’s when I became a College Admissions Consultant and opened Southern College Consulting.
How did you decide on this Business?
When my children were high school students at McIntosh, I took my son and daughter through an extensive college planning process. During that time, many parents asked me questions about the process, and someone even suggested that I would be a great College Admissions Consultant. So, I researched and decided to attend the Independent Educational Consultants Association’s Summer Training Institute. After that training, I decided that it shouldn’t be so hard for parents to know that they’re doing what’s best for their student because, as a parent, I know what it’s like to want the best for our children. So, I earned my Independent Educational Consultant Certificate from The University of California-Irvine, became a member of IECA, and began Southern College Consulting. I believe that all parents should have peace of mind that they’re sending their student to an environment where they can thrive. As part of my job, I stay up-to-date on admissions trends, attend conferences, and visit multiple colleges every year. I anchor the college admissions process for students locally and across the U.S. so that they have great college options at the end of the process and enjoy the journey!
What is the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is helping students navigate all the different parts of the college admissions process and being an anchor for them. College is a student’s first major decision they will make that will impact their future. It’s incredible to see students go from overwhelmed, anxious, and unsure about the college admissions process and their future when I meet them to happy, excited, and confident about their college choice and future. I love seeing that transformation in students as we go through the process, and they let the process work.
Advice for Mom’s or a Mom hack you would like to share?
Encourage your children to find what they care deeply about, what motivates and inspires them, and then help your children put their time and energy towards those things.
To share more about Southern College Consulting services, Kelly is hosting two seminars at The Loft at Due South on October 4th and at Franks at The Mill on October 6th (See Flyer Below) and/or you can visit https://www.southerncollegeconsulting.com.
