College Admissions: Your Guide to the Application Journey

Whitney Soule is the Vice Provost and Dean of Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, bringing over 30 years of expertise in college admissions. She has previously served in leadership roles at Bates College, Connecticut College, and Bowdoin College. Whitney holds a B.A. from Bates College and an Ed.M. from Harvard University. As the co-founder of the CASCO conference, she supports underrepresented and first-generation college students in their journey toward college enrollment. Whitney is an advocate for equitable admissions practices and has contributed as a board member for the Enrollment Management Association, the Coalition for College, and the Common Application. Her work also includes leadership roles with the College Board’s Admissions Research Consortium and the Enrollment Leader Group, focusing on test-optional admissions and change management strategies.

Sean Vereen, Ed.D., is the Co-President of Heights Philadelphia, an organization dedicated to creating pathways to educational and economic success for students from middle school through college and career. Heights was formed through the merger of Steppingstone Scholars and Philadelphia Futures in 2022 and supports 3,000 students with 70 full-time staff, an $11 million budget, and a $30 million endowment. Sean is a lecturer in the Higher Education Division at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education and has led impactful efforts such as co-instructing the open Coursera course How to Apply to College, which engaged 15,000 students globally. Sean holds leadership roles with the Mayor’s Education Nominating Panel, the Johns Hopkins Access Advisory Board, and the Pew Jobs and Economic Development Roadmap Steering Committee. With a focus on social mobility, educational equity, and diversity, Sean frequently speaks on addressing achievement gaps and creating opportunities for underserved students. His efforts bridge the gap between education and opportunity by forming strategic partnerships with regional universities like Temple University, Drexel University, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Sara L. Woods, Esq., is the Co-President and CEO of Heights Philadelphia, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming college and career pathways for low-income, first-generation-to-college, Black, and Brown students. Heights was formed through the merger of Philadelphia Futures and Steppingstone Scholars. Sara previously served as President and CEO of Philadelphia Futures and as Executive Director of Philadelphia VIP, providing legal support to low-income Philadelphians. With experience as Director of Public Interest Careers and Pro Bono Programs at Villanova University School of Law, Sara brings extensive leadership in law, education, and advocacy. She holds a B.A. from Penn State, a J.D. from Villanova University School of Law, and a Master’s in Public Administration from Villanova University. Sara's work exemplifies a lifelong commitment to equity, education, and social impact.