Meet the Team

NEAL SCHWARTZ, CEP

Owner/Director
Certified College Counselor

Neal has been providing academic and college planning services to Westchester County students since 2004. He earned his College Counseling Certification, with distinction, from UCLA Extension and His CEP (Certified Educational Planner) from the AICEP (American Institute of Certified Educational Planners).

College Planning of Westchester provides a holistic approach to the academic, college prep and search process. By addressing and assisting with all academic, college planning, application and financial needs, students are supported every step of the way through their pre-college years.

Neal is President of the Armonk Chamber of Commerce, President of the Mount Kisco Hebrew Congregation, and is on the Union College Alumni Council. Neal also volunteers with YPIE at Yonkers High School advising students through the college process. He graduated from Union College in Schenectady. His wife is an optometrist in Westchester County. He has three college graduates who all live and work in NYC.

Neal is a member of NYSACAC and the Higher Education Consultant Association and subscribes to HECA standards of good practice

KAREN RUZZO

Asst Director/College Counselor

Karen brings more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, school leader, and educational consultant to her work with students and families navigating the college planning process. She is a UCLA Extension–certified College Counselor, earned with distinction, and works closely with students on college search, application strategy, essays, and academic planning. Before joining College Planning of Westchester, Karen spent decades in public education, serving in school leadership roles in Westchester County and New York City, as well as in classroom teaching and as a literacy specialist.

Her background gives her a deep understanding of students, schools, and family dynamics, and allows her to guide families with both empathy and insight.

She is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Karen lives in Westchester County with her family and brings both professional expertise and personal insight to her work with students and parents.

ANDREA COADY

SAT/ACT Math; Algebra/Geometry/Trig; Special Education

Andrea holds a Master of Science in both Mathematics Education and Students with Disabilities from Mercy College. She currently teaches High School Math at a public school in Northern Westchester. We are thrilled to have her on board!

LAUREN MURPHY

SAT & ACT, Math & Science

Lauren is a History and Science graduate of Harvard University. At Harvard, she participated in Crimson EMB, Harvard MEDLIFE, and Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business. She also graduated from Arlington High School (Arlington, MA) as the valedictorian.

JESSIE XU

SAT/ACT, AP STEM SUBJECTS (CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, CALCULUS, COMPUTER SCIENCE)

Jessie, a software engineer and data scientist, received a broad and in-depth education in science and engineering. After completing a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering in China, she received a master’s degree in mathematics from Fordham University, a master’s degree in computer science from Caltech, and a Ph.D. in computer science from the Courant Institute at NYU.

She raised two children (both STEM majors) and gained an intimate knowledge of the STEM curriculum and how to effectively prepare students for standardized tests. Her students have achieved remarkable results within short time periods. She is most proud of the confidence that her students gain through enhancing their understanding and skills in the tests and subject areas.

NICHOLE SHORTMAN

SAT & ACT, English and Reading; English, English Literature; U.S. History; Special Education

Nichole holds a B.A. from Western Connecticut and is finishing up her Masters in Professional Studies at Manhattanville College. Nichole’s expertise and interests are in literature and writing, specifically twentieth century fiction and poetry, as well as creative and essay writing.

Nichole Shortman - Planning of Westchester

TAMA BERNSTEIN

SAT & ACT, English

Tama is a lover of books, language and writing, with a BA from Connecticut College and graduate studies in Latin, English and business. She taught English and Latin for nine years, before changing paths to run a small business. She has since returned to her passion for preparing high school students for their college entrance exams and mentoring their path to winning essays and scores.

Tama brings a fresh and collaborative style to working with students. She is flexible yet focused in her approach, tailoring each session to the individual student’s needs and interests.

LORI COOPER

Interview Specialist

Lori is passionate about preparing high school students for their college interviews, which she has been doing for the past ten years. Before becoming an independent interview specialist, she conducted alumni interviews for her alma mater for over twenty years. She works with students to create a confident, successful interview experience. Lori has a BA from Middlebury College and a Master of Health Services Administration degree from the University of Michigan. Prior to her work as an interview specialist, Lori was a senior consultant for a health care think tank in Washington, DC.

JANEL O’BRIEN

SAT & ACT, English & History

Janel is a New York state-certified social studies teacher with her Master’s in history and education. She has been the lead tutor at College Planning of Westchester for SAT/ACT prep, reading, writing, and English since 2004.

DAN BISIG

College Funding Expert

Since 2006, Dan has helped hundreds of students and parents navigate their way through every aspect of the college funding maze. As a former Financial Planner, Dan knows the ins and outs of how colleges count income and assets against families when it comes to awarding their Merit and Financial Aid. With his guidance, parents get the facts they need to have the College Money

Talk and map out how they are going to pay for college and students learn where to look for and apply for college scholarships so they pursue to the right colleges at the right price! Dan is a member of the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) and the Kentucky Association for College Admission Counseling (KYACAC).

Listen to this podcast and learn about College Planning of Westchester

Listen to this recent podcast where Neal was interviewed by Jill Nicolini

Listen to this recent podcast where Neal was interviewed by Mike Muldoon.

Or view the video interview:

Get to hear Neal’s perspective on college counseling at 13:28 into the podcast/video.

Recently Featured in Inside Armonk, Neal’s work with the Armonk Chamber of Commerce

Parade Announcer for Armonk’s Frosty Day:

EXECUTIVE FUNCTION COACHING DELIVERED THROUGH NEW FRONTIERS: CLICK ON PICTURE TO GET STARTED

COLLEGE PLANNING OF WESTCHESTER

AT CPW, WE PROVIDE UNIQUE GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE BY THOROUGHLY UNDERSTANDING THE STUDENT AS THEY NAVIGATE THE COLLEGE PROCESS FROM TEST PREP THROUGH ACCEPTANCE TO THEIR FIRST CHOICE SCHOOLS.