Rising Stars: Meet Colleen Hart of Roswell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen Hart.

Hi Colleen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was drawn to education from an early age, inspired by my grandmother and aunt, both accomplished teachers and principals. After earning my Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Pittsburgh, I spent several years in the classroom before relocating to Georgia fourteen years ago. Here, I began assisting my daughters’ friends with their personal essays and Common Applications, which soon grew into a passion and a professional calling. Over the years, I have built my own practice, beginning with my Associate’s designation from IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association), visiting colleges, attending seminars and conferences, networking with colleagues, continuing and completing advanced coursework through UCLA and IECA. In 2024, I proudly earned my Professional IEC designation.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The work is in the title, Independent Education Consultant. Independence, though, comes with its own weight. Running my own practice has meant facing constant challenges, quiet moments of doubt, and only rare words of affirmation. Families come to me in the midst of their own uncertainty, looking for clarity, direction, and reassurance. It’s a privilege to guide them, and also a responsibility that sometimes feels heavy. My greatest fear has always been falling short of what my clients’ needs are, of not helping them find their confidence or courage. Yet in those moments of uncertainty, I’m reminded that growth, for both my students and myself, often happens in the space between doubt and trust.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a professional IEC, Independent Education Consultant, I guide students through their search and selection of colleges and universities based on their interests to help them find their college and university fit. I assist with navigating and completing the Common Application, editing personal and supplemental essays, preparing students for interviews, and using my professional resources to answer any questions or concerns along the way. My services include college/university knowledge, college/university research, resume writing, and helping with high school course selection. extracurricular activities suggestions, summer planning, essays, interviews, and applications.

What I’m most proud of is how much I care about helping others find confidence in themselves. My love for education has always gone beyond academics; it’s about seeing people realize what they’re capable of. I work solely on a referral basis, which makes each connection deeply personal. Sharing in my clients’ successes and knowing I was able to guide them through their college search journeys is what I consider my greatest accomplishment. I try to truly listen, to hear not just their questions but their hopes and worries too. I think of us as partners on the same road: they’re in the driver’s seat, and I’m in the passenger seat, offering direction and reassurance when the path feels uncertain. I can only reflect on my own success when I see my clients discover their own, when they take what we’ve built together and chase their goals with confidence and joy.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
As an Independent Educational Consultant, I continue to grow and learn alongside my students, through their questions, laughter, struggles, and achievements. Each new family I work with reminds me why I chose this path. Their journeys challenge me to stay curious, empathetic, and informed. As my practice evolves, so do I. I take great pride in sharing both the struggles and the successes of my students, and I continue to seek guidance and inspiration from my incredible colleagues. I look forward to meeting new clients and helping them navigate their own college search journeys with confidence and joy.

Contact Info:

• Website: The Admissions Edge
• LinkedIn: https://linkedIn.com/in/colhart