About Us

With 25 years of experience guiding students and families through the college admissions process, Jen Ruhle has helped countless students from high achieving high schools navigate each step with confidence and success. Known for creating a stress-free experience for parents while making the journey engaging and enjoyable for students, Jen combines her expertise with a personalized approach to advising. By establishing a strong rapport and understanding each student's unique strengths, goals, and aspirations, Jen empowers students to find the right college fit.

With more than a decade of experience as a public high school counselor, Jani has worked with hundreds of students with diverse goals and aspirations as they move through the college planning and admissions process—from early exploration to final decisions. Her work is grounded in both experience and training; she holds two Master's degrees in Education, one specializing in School Counseling and the other in Secondary Education. Beginning her career as an English teacher provided a strong foundation for her work as a school counselor and helped shape how she supports students academically, socially, and emotionally as they make important decisions and prepare for life beyond high school. She takes pride in building meaningful relationships with students and families and believes the most successful college journeys begin early and are approached with care and intention. By staying up to date on the latest admissions trends and maintaining a warm, personalized, student-centered approach, she helps families navigate what can be both an exciting and stressful time with confidence and clarity. She is passionate about supporting students as they discover their goals and find colleges where they can truly thrive.

Elizabeth "Liz" Afonso works as a Director of School Counseling and has spent the last 23 years supporting students and families through the academic, personal, and college planning process. She earned her degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education, and her M.Ed. in School Counseling. In addition to her work in schools, Liz has privately guided many students through the college application process, helping them find the right fit for their future goals. She also dedicated 17 years to coaching softball at the collegiate level, finishing her coaching career as Head Coach of the women's softball team at the Community College of Rhode Island, where she mentored numerous student-athletes as they transferred to four-year colleges and universities after CCRI. Liz and her husband are the proud parents of their two adult children.

With nearly two decades of experience in education, Samantha is a dedicated and compassionate high school counselor who is passionate about helping students and families navigate the high school and college planning process with confidence. Prior to entering school counseling, she spent 10 years as a high school math teacher, where she developed a strong foundation in relationship-building, student advocacy, and supporting diverse learners. Since beginning her career in education in 2007, Samantha has remained committed to supporting students academically, socially, and emotionally throughout their high school journey. She is actively involved in new statewide initiatives through the Rhode Island School Counseling Association, including the Commissioner's Counselors and RAMP 30x30 initiatives, reflecting her dedication to expanding student opportunities and strengthening school counseling practices across Rhode Island. Known for her warm, approachable personality and strong work ethic, Samantha values building meaningful connections with students and families while providing thoughtful, individualized guidance. Her reliable, hardworking, and student-centered approach helps families feel supported and empowered during every stage of the high school and postsecondary planning process.

With 20 years of mathematics tutoring experience and 14 years teaching in Rhode Island classrooms, Kerry Johnson brings award-winning expertise to every SAT prep session. She began her teaching career at Cranston High School East, spent nine years at Lincoln Public Schools teaching both middle and high school mathematics, and currently teaches at North Kingstown High School. Kerry is a 2023 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) recipient — one of the nation's highest honors for K–12 math educators — and holds National Board Certification. Her students don't just improve; they exceed their goals. One student surpassed their 700 SAT Math target with a 720, while another made a remarkable 260-point jump from a 380 on the PSAT to a 640 on the SAT.

Eleni Grammas is a mathematics educator dedicated to helping students develop analytical thinking, confidence, and strong problem-solving skills. Eleni fosters a learning environment that balances academic rigor with meaningful support, encouraging students to challenge themselves and grow as learners. In recognition of her impact in the classroom, she was named the Rhode Island Mathematics Teachers Association (RIMTA) Rookie Teacher of the Year in 2022. Eleni's primary strength is Advanced Placement Statistics, where her students consistently perform above both national and global score averages, reflecting her commitment to high standards and student achievement in a highly competitive academic setting. In addition to teaching AP Statistics, Eleni has experience teaching Algebra and Geometry, as well as preparing students for the SAT Math Exam. She believes students are most successful when they are challenged to think critically while receiving the structure and encouragement needed to thrive. Through her teaching, Eleni is committed to helping students build both the academic skills and confidence necessary for success in college and beyond.

Jen has 20 years of experience teaching high school English and has become a professor of writing at Rhode Island College. Known for her expertise in writing and grammar, Jen focuses on helping students become confident, purposeful communicators with their own authentic style. She has taught every grade and level, including AP Language and Composition, where her students pass at a rate of 96 percent, well above the national average. She led her school in developing PSAT and SAT preparation materials and ran school-wide workshops that produced steady year-over-year score improvements. She has guided many students through the college essay process, helping them earn admission to colleges such as Brown, Yale, and Penn State. Jen believes every student has a story worth telling and works to help them tell it well.

Christina is a certified English teacher and reading specialist with over 21 years of experience in the secondary classroom. She has guided thousands of students in their academic writing, and recognizes the importance of helping students build their reading and writing skills so they become self-sufficient writers in the future. In her roles as English teacher and reading specialist, she has focused on strengthening students' reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Christina is passionate about empowering students to communicate effectively through their writing by focusing on diction, concision, sentence structure, grammar and proofreading. She enjoys helping students craft college essays that showcase their voice, experience and goals.

Aimee Ryan has been a secondary English teacher for seventeen years. She focuses her energy on teaching students in grades eleven and twelve about reading, writing, and thinking critically. Additionally, she is a teacher-consultant with the National Writing Project. From 2017 - 2019, Aimee participated in the International Nonviolence Summer Institute at the University of Rhode Island and is a Level 3 Certified Kingian Nonviolence Trainer. She has taken what she learned back to her school in hopes of positively impacting the culture and community in which her students live and learn. Aimee spends a great deal of her academic year with her seniors, guiding them through every step of the college application and essay writing process, and focusing on helping each student reach their own version of happiness and success.

Jason Ryan is a high school English teacher and is a teacher-consultant with the National Writing Project. He works to be an agent of positive social change and believes education is the key to transforming society. Jason is a Level 3 Certified Kingian Nonviolence Trainer through the University of Rhode Island. He works hard to improve the conditions in his school, the community, and the world. With four children of his own, he prioritizes education and focuses on being intentional, patient, and a force of positivity to help others build a deep sense of purpose and confidence within themselves.

Carina is a devoted mathematics educator with over a decade of experience helping students build confidence, strengthen their problem-solving skills, and achieve their academic goals. Specializing in all levels of Geometry and Algebra I, she is passionate about making complex mathematical concepts accessible and engaging for learners of all abilities. Throughout her teaching career, Carina has worked closely with students preparing for college admissions, including leading SAT preparation sessions and incorporating SAT-style questions into the mathematics curriculum throughout the school year. In addition to her expertise in mathematics instruction, Carina is fluent in Portuguese, allowing her to connect with and support a diverse range of students and families. She believes that every student can thrive when provided with the right guidance, encouragement, and individualized support. Carina is committed to helping students reach their full potential and approach their academic futures with confidence.