HECA Webinar: Post Graduate Programs - A New Way of Finding College Success

 Guest
 Jodi Glou
 President-elect, HECA 
 President, Custom College Consulting

Jodi L.G. Glou, M.A., brings over 25 years of passionate dedication as a communicator, educator, tutor, and academic planner. As the visionary founder and president of Custom College Consulting, headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, she is committed to guiding high school students, young adults, and their families nationwide toward their optimal higher education journey.

With a comprehensive background in assisting diverse individuals, including those with learning differences, special talents (such as athletes and artists), and students interested in studying abroad, Jodi's expertise shines in guiding students through the complexities of the undergraduate and graduate school application processes.

Jodi received her B.A. and M.A. in Journalism and Public Communication from American University in Washington, DC. She also received her Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA, which was awarded with Distinction.

As an independent educational consultant, Jodi customizes strategies to suit each student's unique needs, enhancing their writing, time management, and executive functioning skills. She also utilizes both in-person and remote technologies throughout her practice. Jodi motivates clients to confidently pursue their academic, personal, and professional aspirations.

 Guest
 Alexander Morris-Wood
 Head of School Elect, Franklin Academy

Alexander (Alex) Morris-Wood is the Head of School Elect at Franklin Academy (East Haddam, CT)  and is currently the vice president of the division of program development and global partnerships, and the dean of admissions and the Center for College Readiness at Beacon College. Morris-Wood joined Beacon College in 2018 and created and implemented the Center for College Readiness. There, he developed transition programs, including Navigator PREP, the country’s first virtual transition-to-college program for students with learning and attention issues. Since his arrival in 2018, the Center for College Readiness has worked with over 2,200 students who are neurodiverse and their families, attending nearly 125 colleges and programs in the United States.

He has been a contributor to other College initiatives including Project Discovery with the Sharjah Center for Learning Difficulties and more recently, the design and implementation of the Triadic Developmental Model, which allows for a more holistic wrap-around support model for Beacon students. Morris-Wood has designed training programs for state and private colleges and consults with high schools to evaluate their transition model and curriculum. He is now designing curricula for school districts to support dual enrollment for students with learning differences.  
With nearly 20 years of experience in special education, Morris-Wood previously worked in the private school sector with students with Asperger’s Syndrome and nonverbal learning disabilities as a teacher, department chair, assistant dean of students, and director of transition programming. He presents nationally and internationally on topics related to systemic barriers in higher education for students with learning disabilities. Alex serves as the Co-Chair of the NACAC Special Interest Group focused on students with learning disabilities. He also recently co-authored the chapter on learning disabilities for the next edition of the NACAC college counseling textbook.

He has a bachelor’s degree from Connecticut College in history and American studies, a master’s degree in mental health counseling from Post University and is pursuing his doctorate in educational policy from the University of Missouri.