Meet Susan Kisiel Morris
Susan Kisiel Morris is the founder of Thrive U Education as well as an Independent Education Consultant specializing in recognizing what makes each student unique and special. Her goal when working with her students is to make sure that each student will thrive during their college career. She is an enthusiastic champion for the students she works with and brings strategic ideas and fun to the process.
Before Thrive U Education, she worked in brand marketing for many years and then in higher education helping all types of students and working closely with parents. She is an Associate Member of IECA and is receiving certification from the University of California, Los Angeles in College Counseling. She has developed a life-long love of education and helping individuals reach their full potential. Susan has an MBA from the University of Tennessee and a BA from the University of Florida. She is married and lives in Lake Bluff, IL, a northern suburb of Chicago, with her husband and three daughters, two who are currently attending college and one that is college-bound.
Meet Melissa Williams
Melissa Williams is an Independent Educational Consultant and freelance writer, focusing almost exclusively on college application essays and student theses. Melissa’s passion is helping each student discover their “brand;” to empower each student with the ability to promote how their individual collection of experiences, characteristics and passions make them an asset to any school. Her goal is to help students confidently communicate in writing that these valuable distinctions can make them unforgettable candidates.
Melissa began her career in advertising, and in addition to freelance writing, Melissa has spent several years behind the scenes reviewing the college application process. In fact, it was at Lake Forest College where she met founder Susan Morris while serving as a college admissions officer; later moving into Development to secure merit scholarships for students. She is an Associate Member of IECA, and although her love of writing and self-expression has led her down many paths, none are as rewarding as the student-led journey. Melissa lives in Lake Bluff, Illinois with her family, which includes two diametrically different, college-bound teenagers.