About My Pathway to College
My Pathway to College™ was founded in 2012 by Jennifer MacLure, a San Diego-based college counselor with a passion for personalized guidance. Before starting the company, Jennifer ran the college counseling program at the Army and Navy Academy, an all-male residential ROTC boarding school, for eight years. It was there that she saw firsthand how much of a difference individualized college counseling could make for students, and that experience inspired her to build something of her own. It was also where she met two of her lead counselors, Jamie Brooker and Brittany Zamora.
Since 2012, We have helped more than 700 students navigate their pathway to college. We believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to college counseling. Every student brings a unique set of strengths, interests, and goals, and our job is to find the path that fits them best, academically, socially, and financially.
Meet the Team
We take a team approach to every student. Rather than relying on one counselor, each student has a dedicated counselor with access to our full team, including an essay coach with a strong writing and editing background, for a holistic review of their application. We keep our caseload intentionally small so every student gets the personal attention they deserve, and we break the process into clear, manageable timelines so you never feel overwhelmed.
Jennifer MacLure
Founder/CEO
Jennifer received her Master’s Degree in Counseling and School Counseling Credential from the University of San Diego and her College Counseling Certificate from UC San Diego. Jennifer has experience as a UCSD and UCSB application reader for the Freshman Application review committee. Jennifer visits around 20 colleges per year to strengthen her knowledge of college offerings and to help students determine a “best fit” college.
Emily Desmond
Director of Client Services/Lead Counselor
Emily received her Master’s Degree in Counseling and School Counseling Credential from the University of San Diego and has experience as a classroom teacher. She has a degree in English and enjoys being a part of the college essay writing process and her experience as a business manager and teacher sharpened her natural ability to connect, communicate and stay organized.
Dori Middlebrook
Director of Counseling Operations
Dori brings 20 years of experience as an independent college counselor. She has earned the Certified Educational Planner (CEP) designation and attended the College Counseling Certificate Program at UC Irvine. Dori has visited more than 300 colleges, giving her firsthand knowledge of a wide range of campuses and the students who thrive there. She works alongside our team of counselors, helping guide their work and sharing her many years of expertise so every student receives thoughtful, well-informed support.
Julie Van der Auwera
Lead Counselor
Julie received her College Counseling Certificate from UC San Diego. She is an Associate Member of the most reputable counseling association, IECA, and has attended the IECA Summer Intensive Program and regularly attends conferences and college visits to stay educated on college admissions. Julie has a degree in Accounting with International business experience working as a tax consultant at a Big 4 accounting firm. She leverages her work experience in collaboration, accuracy, and meeting deadlines to streamline the college admissions process.
Brittany Zamora
Lead Counselor
Brittany holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and a School Counseling Credential from the University of San Diego, as well as a College Counseling Certificate from UC San Diego. Brittany has served as a school counselor for nearly ten years, guiding students through their academic and personal development. Additionally, her role as a reader for the UCSD freshman application review committee has provided her with unique insights into the college admissions process, enabling her to effectively support and advise students from both perspectives of the application journey.
Aimee Della Bitta
Lead Counselor
Aimee received her Bachelor’s Degree from Villanova University and her College Counseling Certificate from UC San Diego. She has experience as a UCSD application reader for the Freshman Application Review Committee, giving her firsthand insight into the admissions process from the reader’s perspective. With more than 15 years of experience in brand marketing, editing, and professional writing, Aimee is skilled at helping students find their authentic voice and tell their story in a way that showcases their personality and accomplishments.
Severina Scott
Lead Counselor
Severina is a college counselor, teacher, mentor, and scholar with a Master of Arts in History from the University of Michigan and holds a certificate from the National Association for College Admission Counseling and is an Associate Member of the most reputable counseling association, IECA, and has attended the IECA Summer Intensive Program. She has experience working with students from underrepresented backgrounds as well as supporting students with learning differences. Severina’s experience in academia gives her crucial insight into the college admissions process.
Jamie Brooker
Lead Counselor
Jamie received her Master’s Degree in Counseling and School Counseling Credential from the University of San Diego and is part of many local college counseling organizations to stay apprised of the ever-changing admissions process. She has a journalism and marketing background so her management of deadlines, organizational skills, and strength in editing essays are true assets.
