Don’t worry. We’ve got this.
The team from College Calm has been reducing family stress while helping students find the right school since 2009.
Our Philosophy
At College Calm, we love getting to know our students, listening to their stories, learning what motivates them, and helping them find their voice. We consider it our job to reduce the stress and confusion students and families feel during the college application process. Our personalized approach creates a comfortable environment where we focus on student’s strengths, validate their experiences and build their capacity to calmly and effectively complete their college applications.
We do not view high school and the college process as a means to an end, but rather a time when students can learn about their academic assets and personal interests. We challenge students to think about what they can learn about life through the college process, and encourage them to dream about their futures. We believe students need to start the process early enough to give themselves the time to be (or learn to be) pro-active, organized, and thoughtful. By the end of the process, we want our students to find a college where they will thrive, not just attend.
Meet our Counselors
Roxana Dommer
Founder and College Counselor
I founded College Calm in 2009 because I believe that the college process can be an empowering experience for high school students. My background in education and admissions provides me with the unique combination of knowledge and tools to help students complete the college application process. As an application reader in the Stanford University admissions office and an admissions counselor at Santa Clara University, I read and evaluated hundreds of undergraduate applications and have first-hand experience in recognizing what makes the best applications rise to the top. Throughout my 20+ years in education, I have tutored students in reading, writing, math, and executive functioning skills.
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Tammy Friedman
Senior College Counselor
I am a UC Davis Summa Cum Laude graduate with two BA degrees in Psychology and Spanish. I also have an MS in Marriage Family Therapy, as well as a Pupil Personnel Services credential. I have worked as a high school counselor for over 20 years.
I have a deep passion for counseling students and helping them on their personal journey. My unique position allows me to understand the relationship and coordination needed with respect to independent counseling and the high school experience. My therapeutic background helps to provide a safe outlet …
Read More for students and families during the highs and lows of the college process. I have expertise in the UC and CSU application process and have participated in five education abroad language immersion programs. I am fluent in Spanish. I am a Bay Area native and San Mateo High School graduate. I love traveling, singing, hiking, and anything related to musicals! I currently live in Rocklin with my husband, two daughters, and our rescue dog Mocha.
Diana Wuerthner
College Counselor
I am a passionate cheerleader for my students, skilled at recognizing their specific strengths and needs and connecting them with the guidance and resources necessary to make informed choices about their future. Over the past decade, I have worked in public and private education with students of all ages, from kindergarten through graduate school. For the past four years, I have worked as a college counselor at a small private school and a college prep public charter school, where I built the counseling programs from the ground up. I believe that there is a “good fit” college for all students and I excel at matching their unique strengths and interests with schools where they will succeed….
Read More The process of applying to and choosing a college can create tremendous stress for students and families. I use an organized approach that keeps them on track and in front of the process so they do not become overwhelmed and actually enjoy the journey. My undergraduate background is in US History, and I have Master’s Degrees in US History and in Library Science, but my true professional calling is helping students navigate the college research and application process. I love using my abilities as a researcher and teacher to curate and present information to students in a clear and coherent way. I am a Bay Area native, and I currently live in the North Bay with my partner, our two kids, six chickens, and one-year-old Golden Retriever, Maude.
Kathleen Noland
College Counselor
Read More clients. In addition to my degrees and credentials, I am a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and have been trained as a certified athletic recruiting advisor. I have worked as an editor at Harper SF and UCLA, and have volunteered at my kids’ schools for over 10 years. When I’m not working with clients, I enjoy exploring colleges, hiking, and spectating at track meets and baseball games. I live in Marin County with my husband and two teen sons.
Jenny Dumas
College Counselor
I have dedicated my career to supporting students through academic transitions. I was a high school counselor for ten years, most recently at Lynbrook High School in San Jose, CA. I worked with diverse groups of students which helped me understand how competitive and stressful the college process can be for all students. From creating a college list to writing college essays, I enjoy helping students find their own path and identify their authentic self. I pride myself on being able to help students recognize their strengths, set realistic college goals and make an organized plan to complete each step of the college research and application process without stress.
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Alison Matthews
College Counselor
I am thrilled to be embarking on a second career in college advising. Working with students to streamline the application process and opening doors to their self-discovery drew me to this profession. My goal for my students and families is to make the college admissions journey more fun and less stressful for everyone. I really enjoy the diversity of backgrounds and interests of my students and tailoring their experiences to ensure that they are getting the most out of our time together.
I grew up in the Los Angeles area (go Lakers) and graduated from Occidental College with a degree in English and Comparative Literary Studies and a minor in Film. I live in Menlo Park with my husband and son. I have gone through, and survived, the athletic recruiting process with my daughter. When not studying, parenting, or working with students, I enjoy playing tennis and pickle, running, riding my Peloton, and cooking.
Rebecca Thompson
College Counselor
Working with high schoolers as they experience this important life chapter is my privilege. Whether a student is interested in STEM, humanities, business, or TBD, I enjoy helping them articulate their strengths, discover opportunities, and pursue their next steps. I empower them with knowledge to reduce the mystery of the admissions process and dial back the stress. As they develop balanced college lists and application content, I love seeing students build confidence and hone foundational skills they’ll use well beyond their college years.
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I majored in marketing and finance at the University of Oregon and earned an MBA from the University of Washington. I love to travel and actually studied abroad twice. After raising our kids in Palo Alto, my husband and I live in Seattle with our labradoodle, Theo. I enjoy reading, kayaking, hiking, pickleball, and keeping up with friends and family.
Meet our Partners
Leigh Hornik
College to Career Specialist
Leigh Hornik started 5th Quarter Coaching because she saw that a gap existed in supporting young adults during the time between college and career. Now, she coaches young talent and helps them to not only break into the corporate world but thrive in it.
Leigh’s corporate background spans Big Tech to Financial Services. While working for Meta, Lending Club, Spencer Stuart and BlackRock, Leigh has overseen recruitment for C-level executives, managed recruitment strategies to deliver at scale for complex global organizations, and built high-performing recruiting teams for technical and business roles. She is currently the Head of Talent for a software company in Silicon Valley and the Founder of 5th Quarter Coaching.
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Linda Parker Hamilton
Essay Specialist
Linda Parker Hamilton is an award-wining author, specializing in personal essay and memoir writing. She loves working with young adults to help them share the best of themselves in their writing, both with College Calm and independently as the College Essay Guru. The students she coaches learn to tell their stories with depth and meaning, authentic voice, and captivating narrative technique.
For her independent publishing house, Stories to Last, founded in 2006, she has edited and published more than 55 memoirs, biographies and histories. Her outdoor adventure books (Falcon Guides) are available in bookstores. In addition, Linda has published both nonfiction and fiction in …
Read More Linda has a master’s in creative writing and literature, a bachelor’s degree in English/Drama from UC Davis and the University of London, and a secondary teaching certification from Sacramento State. She and her husband have a son at home in Oakland and another attending UC Santa Barbara. When not writing or coaching, Linda can be found singing in two cover bands, planning the next adventure, engrossed in some sort of research, or playing with her soccer-playing corgi-terrier, Donut.
Cat Caddell
College Counselor
I love working with teens and young adults as they explore the next phase of their lives. I believe it is an honor and privilege to work with youth as they imagine and plan their future selves through the college admission process. I have supported a wide range of students through this transformative experience, and I have a depth of knowledge in working with student athletes, STEM majors, students with learning differences, and unconventional learners…
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I am a California and Sonoma county native. I graduated from UC Santa Barbara for my undergraduate studies, and I hold a certificate in College and Career Counseling from UC Berkeley. My career experience as a mediator and coach informs how I help families navigate the college search and application labyrinth. I have a background as a high school college and guidance counselor. I value clear communication and a step by step approach that helps keep anxiety low and the entire process more joyful.
When I am not working with my students, I enjoy participating in and coaching flatwater kayaking. I am also an avid cyclist and love taking my gravel bike out in the dirt. I live in Sonoma county with my family, therapy dog named Peeka-Boo, and many chickens.