When Kristina Dooley was a senior at Euclid High School, the college-going rate at her school hovered around 50%. As a first-generation student from a single-parent, Pell-eligible household, Kristina didn’t have the roadmap to navigate the college admissions process. But a weekly meeting with her College Now advisor changed everything. Sitting at a table in the office during her free period, she received guidance on SAT registration, college applications and scholarship opportunities — help that was pivotal in turning the idea of college into reality.
Kristina’s path led her to Hiram College, a place she first visited as a middle school student during a gifted summer program. The campus visit during her senior year confirmed her fit: “I loved everyone there; it was so small and I really loved the community,” she recalls. With encouragement from her College Now advisor, she retook the SAT, earning the scholarship that made Hiram financially possible. She went on to earn a master’s degree at Kent State and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education at the University of Dayton, all while balancing motherhood, business ownership and volunteer mentoring.
Her journey as a first-generation student also shaped her professional path. As founder and president of Estrela Consulting, Kristina helps families navigate the complex college planning and enrollment process, helping to ensure that students can access opportunities they might not discover on their own. “I love helping students and families see the possibilities,” she says. “I know firsthand how transformative guidance and mentorship can be.” Her work connects directly to her College Now experience — she now provides the same kind of support she once received, helping students identify colleges, secure scholarships and make informed decisions about higher education.
Kristina also gives back as a College Now mentor, working with students both locally and remotely. She emphasizes the importance of “finding the helpers” and encourages first-generation students to ask questions, explore paths beyond the obvious and build networks that can guide their journeys. “Mentoring doesn’t feel like a chore at all — it fills my bucket,” she says. Kristina’s story is a reminder that one supportive person can change the trajectory of a student’s life, and that paying it forward can truly ripple through generations.