About Us
College Bound Guide™ is published monthly and writen by professional advisers at American College Counseling, Inc. (“ACCI”). ACCI provides personal,
expert college counseling services supported by an inclusive online suite of services available 24/7. For more information on ACCI, please visit www.AskACCI.com
or contact us directly at 866-ASK-ACCI.
Alan Silverberg
President
Alan Silverberg, president of ACCI, is presently CEO and founder of a non-profit credit counseling company for the past 11 years
which has helped tens of thousands people get out of debt. After experiencing his daughter and son's frustration applying to
college, he realized that the average middle class American family must go through the same ordeal. The concept for ACCI evolved
after Alan and his wife attended a "college night" at his son's high school. It seemed as though the faces of the majority of
parent's and student's looked like 'deer in headlights'. From that point on, Alan spent two years researching and developing what
appropriate college counseling should be, and found the solution.
"Being married to a former teacher and specialist in Exceptional Student Education, combined with my experiences in credit counseling,
I was able to understand both the academic needs of students and the hardships their parents face helping to plan and pay for their education.
I knew there was a better way to assist in maneuvering the maze of proper college counseling and funding."
The goal of American College counseling is to assist students and their families in avoiding most of the common mistakes made in the college
planning process. Our motto is "if you think you're early, you're probably late" because that is the mistake Alan and his family made. Alan
realized entering the college process at the end of the junior year was a huge disadvantage vs. starting it in the freshman or sophomore year.
ACCI's philosophy is based on providing the earliest testing, evaluating of each client's capabilities and desires, which will lead to an analysis
of the best school and career choice for them.
While taking into account the economic realities that most families are facing today, ACCI believes that it has accomplished it's goals in providing
a comprehensive program that will meet the needs of millions of college bound students and their parents. Utilizing priority online software and
personal communications, providing the most comprehensive and cost effective value in college planning is the ACCI Advantage!
Miriam Gardner-Engel, M.S. Ed
Vice President
Miriam is the Head High School College Guidance Counselor at American College Counseling, Inc.
Prior to working at ACCI, she held positions at higher educational institutions as an Associate
Director of Admissions, Director of Student Management and as an Admissions Counselor.
Miriam has many years of experience working with students from almost every U.S. state and
Latin America. She has a passion for assisting students through the college admissions process.
She remembers how challenging the college admissions process was when she was in high school and
wants to guide students through the process and assist them in having a smooth transition into the
college and career of their choice. She also assists students with career planning and ensures a
student’s a smooth transition into college and achievement of their career goals.
At Keiser University,
she earned her Master’s degree in Education, College Administration and possesses a Bachelor’s degree in
business administration from Stony Brook University.
Klarissa Kitchen
Financial Aid Advisor
American College Counseling, Inc.’s Financial Aid Advisor Klarissa Kitchen has an abundant amount of knowledge and
personal experience in scholarships and grants. By receiving aid and financing her pursuits of her college degrees
she was able to successfully fulfill her educational goals. Klarissa obtained her Bachelor’s degree with honors and
is currently the Vice President of Community Service for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, is also a
recognized high achieving member of the Ambassadors and Leaders Group, and a member of the premier national honor
society Alpha Beta Kappa. She has demonstrated high standards over many years in education and mentoring of high
school students encouraging them to graduate and helps find financial aid resources regardless of their economic
status. As a student herself pursuing a Master’s degree in Psychology, she realizes how costly education can be and
knows that scholarships and grants are the best way to fund college.
Due to Klarissa’s strong interest in education and vast enthrallment in the amount of financial aid available each
year she advises and matches each student with valuable financial aid resources at a local, state, and national level.
She hosts free financial aid webinars developed to inform students and parents about the financial aid process and
requirements in addition to answering any questions that they may have. Scholarships and grants are a great way to help
with the overwhelming expense and there are hundreds of them available. By assisting in the process she helps students
recognize that by putting in the time and effort towards financial aid resources that success will be theirs.
Randy Silverberg
Secretary Treasurer
American College Counseling, Inc. (ACCI) Secretary Treasurer Randy Silverberg has spent
32 years as an educator and exceptional student education specialist, focused on
creating and implementing programs designed to improve the outcomes for children
with learning disabilities and special needs.
Silverberg's compassion and extensive knowledge of this specialized student population
complement ACCI's full range of college planning services, positioning her to assist
families with placement in colleges and universities offering programs for students
with special needs.
Silverberg continues to advise families of younger students with special needs on
the best day schools, summer enrichment programs and other post-secondary options.