About Us:

Gail Grand, Publisher

Gail Grand has spent her entire professional life as an educator and writer. Mrs. Grand holds professional certification in Biology and General Science, in Gifted Education, and in School Guidance & Counseling. She is the author of two educational guidebooks for teenagers.

After nearly twenty years teaching secondary science and gifted education, Mrs. Grand earned a master’s degree in school guidance & counseling and embarked upon a second career specializing in college counseling. After 15 years as Director of College Counseling at the Hebrew Academy of Greater Miami. Mrs. Grand relocated to California. She is currently employed as a college counselor at Chaminade College Preparatory School. Long an advocate of out-of- school experiences, Mrs. Grand shared her accumulated knowledge in Student Science Opportunities and in Free (and Almost Free) Adventures for Teenagers (both published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.).

As a college advisor with both a school-based and independent practice, Mrs. Grand saw the need for timely and unbiased college guidance information to be presented to students and parents as they made their way through the maze that is the college selection, application, and financial aid process. This newsletter, The College Advisor, is that guide.

Mrs. Grand is a member of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC) and the Western Association of College Admissions Counselors (WACAC). She subscribes to the Principles of Good Practice.


Alissa Nial, Career Editor

Alissa Nial’s professional life has been focused on career choices and placement. A degree in organizational psychology from the University of Michigan prepared her with an understanding of the factors that go into the making of informed career choices. Her years as a placement specialist have provided practical, real-world experience.

Ms. Nial is a contributing editor to the career section of The College Advisor newsletter. In addition to researching and preparing articles about specific careers, Ms. Nial also writes about resume preparation, choice of majors, internships, and summer programs.