Who We Are:
Erika Dietz, M.Ed, IEC, Founder and Lead Counselor
Erika Dietz founded Guru Academic Advising because she believes strongly in the power of higher education, and she wants to see students end up at schools where they will grow and thrive. Erika went to Claremont McKenna College, working in admissions, and then pursued a Master of Education through Claremont Graduate University. She spent five years working as an English Language Arts teacher, first in Los Angeles then in Alexandria, Virginia. In her time as a teacher she helped to guide her own ambitious students through the hurdles and challenges of getting into competitive schools where they would be successful and happy. In 2013, she relocated to the north Dallas area where she founded Guru Academic Advising. Passionate about the power of not only higher education, but finding the right source of higher education, Erika is excited to help you and your family. Erika is also an Associate Member of the IECA, a selective professional organization for college counselors.
Angie Munday, IEC, College Counselor
Angie Munday is delighted to be a part of the Guru Academic Advising team. She received her Bachelors degree in Restaurant, Hotel, and Institutional Management from Texas Tech University and her Certification in College Counseling from University of California, San Diego in 2016. Once she got out of the corporate world and entered into the education field, Angie realized that her true passion is assisting high school students with their college planning journey. Working over the past four years as an academic advisor for a local private school, Angie has had the privilege of helping many students reach their academic potential and educational goals. Because this process is so individualized, she works closely with each student to help them discover their strengths, passions, and goals which ultimately leads to finding the best college fit, happiness, and success. Angie is based in Flower Mound and is excited to work with you and your family!
Toni King, IEC, IECA Member, Certified College Counselor
After spending several years in management positions in the telecommunications industry, Toni realized that her focus needed a new direction. As doors opened, she walked into opportunities in the field of education. Toni quickly learned that her passion was guiding students through all avenues of their life helping them prepare for the next season of their life. Toni has her BBA from the University of North Texas and majored in strategic planning. Her skills were a perfect match for coaching students while empowering them to take direction of their own life’s path and pursue their future dreams. As a certified Master Life Coach, Toni has worked several years mentoring students, including student-athletes, pre-med candidates, and Ivy-bound college applicants.
Linda Kern, IEC
Linda loves helping teens and parents understand the college planning process and works hand-in-hand with students to help them identify colleges that represent a good fit. She is an Associate Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), and serves as Co-Editor of the ABCs of College Planning, which is a publication of the New Jersey Association of College Admissions Counselors. She is also a trained Executive Function coach who assists students with skills such as time management, organization and task initiation. Linda discovered her passion for working with students years ago when family and friends tapped her for help with college essays. She loved learning about what made students tick and helping them develop compelling applications. From there, she began conducting alumni interviews for her alma mater, Cornell University. Gradually, she transitioned from her career practicing law to college counseling. She went on to earn her Certification in College Counseling from the University of California-San Diego and she now offers a full range of college planning services. Linda regularly attends college information sessions and professional development events so that she can bring you up-to-date information and identify admissions trends. She also works with students applying to private high schools and graduate schools. Linda is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Industrial Relations and New York University School of Law. Whether you need help with your essays, advice about the admissions process, or a professional who can help keep your child on track during the often stressful teen years, Linda can help your child succeed and build the maturity and skills they need to navigate their future.
Jill Miller Personius, College Counselor Career Coach
Jill graduated from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois with a degree in the social sciences. As a certified life coach, she has been working since 2008 with people of all ages to encourage them and guide them through transitions. Jill's passion for education and for working with students makes her a wonderful asset to the Guru team. Her corporate background as a change manager for small businesses gives her a reliable set of skills to help students discover their strengths and offer them organizational tools and communication skills that will help them for years to come. At Guru, Jill works with students in the college planning process to discover their strengths, match their goals with best fit colleges, craft compelling personal narratives, build strong resumes inclusive of fit to major, and successfully complete their journey toward thriving. Jill lives in Denton with her two daughters.
Melanie Williams, IEC
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Melanie Williams graduated from the University of North Texas with an undergraduate degree in history. Upon graduation she entered education as a science teacher, then quickly moved into school administration. While an assistant director of a charter school, Melanie went on to earn her Masters in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. She has continued her roles in education by working with high school students both in the classroom and outside by helping students prepare for life in college and beyond. Melanie has a desire to help students reach their personal goals as well as encourage them to reach further. Melanie has assisted students in many facets of the application process from recruited athletes to students desiring to enter professional schools such as medical school. Melanie has lived in North Texas for the past 20 years with her husband where they enjoy spending time with their two fur-children, Sophie and Venti, and with friends and family.
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Corey Ellis, IEC
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Corey Ellis received her bachelor’s degree from UT Austin with a major in music and a minor in psychology. She spent four years working in the SMU student counseling center and then moved into the admissions office at the University of Dallas graduate school of management, where she served as the Assistant Director and then the Director of Admissions for two years. While at UD, she received her master’s degree in human resource management and spent several years in corporate recruiting and human resources. Corey moved back into the education field in 2019 and was the regional college counselor for a local charter school district serving ten high schools throughout Texas. She worked with students, parents and campus counselors through the entire college planning and admissions process. She truly believes there is a great college match for every student, not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. Corey received her Certification in College Counseling from Rice University in 2022.
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Ashley Lambert, IEC
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Ashley Lambert is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a bachelors of science degree in Elementary Education. She has taught all ages from 3rd grade to seniors and found her latest love of working with high school students as they prepare for college. Ashley has spent the last several years working as an academic counselor at a local charter school assisting and guiding students as they navigate both the challenges and joys of high school. As an academic counselor, she has applied her gift of listening intently to students, parents and fellow educators as they share their concerns, their objectives and their plans. She believes that listening well is the key to effective communication with others and her desire is to assist the next generation of students on their academic journey by helping families successfully navigate the challenges of preparing for college. Ashley has lived in the North Texas region for more than 20 years. Ashley and her husband have a married daughter, a daughter entering her junior year of college, and a son finishing his senior year in high school.
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