"My experience as a college adviser with AdviseVA shaped the foundation of my career in higher education. I gained not only a deep understanding of the admissions and financial aid process, but also a profound appreciation for the barriers many students face in accessing college. Today, as an Event Coordinator at the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, I draw on those lessons every day—whether I’m planning programs that celebrate student achievement, helping create spaces where scholars feel seen and supported or creating events that showcase the Jefferson Scholars Foundation mission and impact in the lives of students in our programs. My time as an adviser instilled in me a lasting commitment to expanding opportunity and making higher education more accessible for all."