Marissa Dudley

College Admissions Consultant She/Her/Hers

College Admissions Consultant

Former Admissions Officer Colorado College

Former Admissions Officer Claremont McKenna College

Former Admissions Officer University of Central Florida

My Background

I came to College Coach after working in college admissions for many years. I started my career as an assistant director of admission for the University of Central Florida. While at UCF, I worked as the athletics liaison and collaborated with the athletics department to streamline the admission review for all D1 athletes. I then transitioned to Colorado College, a selective private institution where I wore many hats. Known for its unique block style curriculum and field study opportunities, students in both the humanities and STEM disciplines were able to deep dive into their subjects by taking one class at a time. Nestled in the heart of the Rockies, it’s no surprise that Environmental Science was the most popular major at Colorado College. Neuroscience, Business & Economics, and Political Science are also popular choices. During my tenure, I managed enrollment for our Bridge Scholars Program, which aimed to acclimate first-generation, low-income students to campus. I reviewed and made decisions on applications for first-year and transfer students from around the US and internationally. I developed recruitment strategies for the Southeastern U.S. and Europe, learning a lot about the kinds of students from those parts of the world. Later, my responsibilities included managing campus visit programming and using data-driven techniques to enhance the college visit experience. In between roles at Colorado College, I was the assistant dean of admission at Claremont McKenna College, where I oversaw the complex operational process supporting the recruitment, reading, and marketing efforts of our team. Each institution within the Claremont Consortium has their own academic focus; Claremont McKenna has an emphasis on government, economics, public affairs, finance, and international relations. Throughout my time, I served as the chair for the anti-racist steering committee, leading initiatives with campus partners aimed at increasing college access for underrepresented students.

"...the entire team has helped us from beginning to end - helping pick activities that are relevant to their interests, summer planning, course selection, college list development, essay writing and completing the application. An incredible collaboration...Highly recommend!

Parent of Pitzer College and Santa Clara University students

Why I Joined College Coach

As a first-generation college student, applying to college felt like an impossible feat. I knew I didn’t want to be far from my family and I had to be mindful of cost. I toured the University of South Florida during one of their prospective student open house days and fell in love. It was the only school I applied to, though that’s not a strategy I recommend! Throughout my four years at USF, my fondest memories are from my time as a student call center employee within the Office of Admission. Talking to students and families about my experience, hearing their stories, and sharing my love of the college ignited a spark in me. Shortly after graduating, I landed a job at the University of Central Florida (rival of USF!) and began my career. Assisting families through the complexities of college admission to come out on the other side with acceptance letters is incredibly rewarding. Helping students discover and articulate their strengths, interests, and aspirations is an exciting process that I am honored to be part of. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to leverage my professional experiences with students and families, all while being a cheerleader for students as we celebrate the milestones along the way.

Get to Know Me

My Education

University of South Florida Bachelor of Science, Health Sciences

University of Central Florida Master of Arts, Educational Leadership

I have worked with students interested in:

Aerospace
Art
Aviation
Biochemistry
Business
Communication
Computer science
Dance
Data science
Economics
Engineering
Film
Government
Graduate programs
Graphic design
HBCUs
Hispanic serving
Honors programs
Humanities
International relations
Journalism
Large State Schools
Marine biology
Mathematics
Music
Nursing
Political science
Pre-dentistry
Pre-law
Pre-med
Pre-veterinary
Psychology
Research universities
ROTC
Science
Small liberal arts colleges
Social Sciences
Teaching/education certification
Technology
Theater
Two year colleges
Visual and performing arts

I have also worked with:

Athletes
First-generation students
Gap year students
IB program
International students
LGBTQIA+ students
Students with learning differences
Transfer students

Some of my favorite pastimes

In my spare time, you can find me enjoying the Colorado outdoors, either backpacking in the Rocky Mountains, paddleboarding on Turquoise Lake, or taking a long walk with my Bernese Mountain dog, Gus, to Dutch Bros coffee shop for a tasty treat. I also enjoy making baked goods and sharing them with friends around the neighborhood. Traveling is a favorite, too! My most recent adventure took me to Peru, where my partner and I got to enjoy incredible ceviche and hiked around Machu Picchu. But by the time you’re reading this, I’ve probably added another trip to the list!

Interested?

Interested in learning more about how our college admissions counseling services can help your student succeed?

Call 877-402-6224 or complete the form for information on getting your student started with one of our experts.