Samantha
Bartek

As Director of Partnerships, Samantha is dedicated to building meaningful relationships with schools, organizations, and community partners to expand access to high-quality college and career planning resources and services. She works closely with educational leaders to develop strategic partnerships, coordinate impactful programming, and ensure students and families have the tools & support needed to make informed decisions about their futures. Drawing on her background as a school counselor, Samantha understands the challenges students face & is passionate about creating collaborative solutions in order to help students succeed.

Prior to joining the team, Samantha served as an 11 & 12th grade School Counselor and School-to-Career Coordinator in both public and charter high schools at the Jersey Shore, where she specialized in college and career readiness. She guided students and their families through every stage of their postsecondary planning journey- from career exploration and college selection to applications and financial aid. She finds it extremely rewarding helping students discover their best-fit opportunities and helping build the confidence to pursue their goals. Throughout her career, she has supported students in gaining admissions to a wide range of colleges and universities, including NYU, Penn State, and Howard University.

Samantha earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Kean University and her Master’s degree in Education from Monmouth University. While completing her graduate studies, she served as a graduate research assistant and became a published academic author, contributing to both college textbooks as well as educational publications.