THRIVE COLLEGE COUNSELING EF COACHES AND CONSULTANTS
Rheanna Bates
Twenty years of experience as a writing coach and tutor have honed Rheanna’s expertise in supporting a wide range of students with improving their self-awareness, confidence, and communication skills. Rheanna also guides her students to craft impactful high school and college admissions essays, master test preparation, and cultivate effective study habits.
As a certified specialist in the University of Kansas SIM strategies for writing, Rheanna is uniquely qualified to offer personalized support in writing to students with diverse learning needs. Her empathetic and adaptable approach enables her to tailor teaching methods to each individual student, connect with students on a personal level, and encourage them to reach their full potential.
Rheanna graduated cum laude from Harvard University in 2002 with a concentration in English and American Literature. She currently serves as the Membership Director of the Bay Area Tutoring Summit, California’s premier professional organization for educational service providers, and received an Independent Educational Consultant Certificate through UC Irvine. Rheanna is also an associate member of the member of Independent Educational Consultants Association. At Thrive, Rheanna provides both EF coaching and college counseling services.
As a certified specialist in the University of Kansas SIM strategies for writing, Rheanna is uniquely qualified to offer personalized support in writing to students with diverse learning needs. Her empathetic and adaptable approach enables her to tailor teaching methods to each individual student, connect with students on a personal level, and encourage them to reach their full potential.
Rheanna graduated cum laude from Harvard University in 2002 with a concentration in English and American Literature. She currently serves as the Membership Director of the Bay Area Tutoring Summit, California’s premier professional organization for educational service providers, and received an Independent Educational Consultant Certificate through UC Irvine. Rheanna is also an associate member of the member of Independent Educational Consultants Association. At Thrive, Rheanna provides both EF coaching and college counseling services.
Dr. Leslie Brown
Dr. Leslie Brown is an educator and learning intervention specialist with more than 18 years of experience teaching and providing academic support to undergraduate students. His most recent appointments were with the Academic Support Program for Student Athletes at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and Director of Academic Success Initiatives at Brandeis University. At UNC, he develops the training curriculum for writing tutors working with student athletes, utilizing prior classroom and writing center experiences as well as trends and best practices in the field. While working for Brandeis, Dr. Brown oversaw academic support services for the university during Covid-19. Dr. Brown has also taught academic skills in both one-on-one and small-group sessions to increase engagement and improve classroom performance; provided assistive technology services to students as well as worked to improve retention and persistence.
Dr. Brown earned his BA in English at Elizabeth City State University, his MA in English at North Carolina A&T State University, and his PhD in Higher Education Administration at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His dissertation research was an examination of the external factors and motivating forces that help underprepared students succeed. At Thrive, Dr. Brown provides EF coaching to students.
Dr. Brown earned his BA in English at Elizabeth City State University, his MA in English at North Carolina A&T State University, and his PhD in Higher Education Administration at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His dissertation research was an examination of the external factors and motivating forces that help underprepared students succeed. At Thrive, Dr. Brown provides EF coaching to students.
Cheri Gaylord
As an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) and principal of Gaylord Consulting, Cheri offers services to individuals and their families using a strength-based approach to coach students in their current and future academic endeavors and independent life skills. While her specialty is assisting families and students in the area of LD/ADHD/Autism Spectrum Post Secondary Transitions, she works with all adolescents and young adults to explore college majors, career choices, executive function skills, self-advocacy skills, and gap year options.
Although Cheri started her career as a Residential Mortgage Consultant, she pursued her passion for education by obtaining a Certificate in Independent Education Consulting at the University of California, Irvine. It was after several family members diagnosed with learning disabilities and attention issues that Cheri Gaylord became an outspoken advocate for children with learning disabilities. Cheri currently resides in Laguna Niguel, California. She has one son and two grown stepsons. The youngest is on his way to launching as a young adult and pursuing his dream of graduating from college in Oregon. At Thrive, Cheri provides both EF coaching and college counseling.
Although Cheri started her career as a Residential Mortgage Consultant, she pursued her passion for education by obtaining a Certificate in Independent Education Consulting at the University of California, Irvine. It was after several family members diagnosed with learning disabilities and attention issues that Cheri Gaylord became an outspoken advocate for children with learning disabilities. Cheri currently resides in Laguna Niguel, California. She has one son and two grown stepsons. The youngest is on his way to launching as a young adult and pursuing his dream of graduating from college in Oregon. At Thrive, Cheri provides both EF coaching and college counseling.
Sean Garcia
Sean Garcia is passionate about serving the needs of LGBTQ+ (transgender/gender variant persons), the neurodiverse population, and gifted students who desire unique learning environments and/or require specialized accommodations. Sean is equally passionate about guiding clients and their families on how best to utilize a ‘gap year’ to aid in personal, professional, and academic success. Sean combines his business mindset (spending a decade in high tech global marketing/operations) with his expertise in mental health (currently serving as a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist for neurodivergent and gender diverse patients) and higher education. Given his personal and professional experience, he has the knowledge to guide students and their families through the end-to-end process of developing a roadmap in the best interest of the student.
The guiding principles of Sean's work with families are strengths-based and values-based in order to empower and excite students about the future. Sean graduated suma cum laude from John F. Kennedy University with a B.A. in psychology and a master’s in counseling psychology. In addition to being a member of Independent Educational Consultants Association, Sean is also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. At Thrive, Sean provides college counseling services.
The guiding principles of Sean's work with families are strengths-based and values-based in order to empower and excite students about the future. Sean graduated suma cum laude from John F. Kennedy University with a B.A. in psychology and a master’s in counseling psychology. In addition to being a member of Independent Educational Consultants Association, Sean is also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. At Thrive, Sean provides college counseling services.