OUR
TEAM
CHRIS MENJIVAR
Chris Menjivar, originally from Hewlett, New York, has called Asheville, NC his home for almost a decade. As a first generation college student, Chris was faced with the challenge of navigating both the admissions and financial aid process on his own as he applied to almost 20 colleges & universities. This process ultimately led him to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where Chris earned a degree in Political Science in 2008. Returning to New York in 2009, Chris was certain his future would lie in the legal profession, but the after effects of the recession coupled with sizable student loan debt forced Chris to reconsider his future.
Knowing a change was needed in order to improve his quality of life and career opportunities, Chris and his partner, Morgan, decided to put in motion what they had always planned to do; return to North Carolina to begin the next chapter of their lives.
It was in Asheville that Chris got his first taste of working in higher education, working as a financial aid counselor for a small, liberal arts college in Western North Carolina. Working directly with students exposed Chris to the various difficulties families face when trying to finance their children's education. As the primary counselor in charge of verification, Chris saw firsthand the undue burden this process puts on families, especially considering the lack of knowledgeable direction that is often provided. Frustrated with the limitations of working in a financial aid office, Chris sought to more effectively help students and their families by getting involved as early as possible. It was at this point that Chris decided to venture into professional college consulting.
Morgan Marshall-Clark
Though not born in North Carolina, Morgan Marshall-Clark was raised in Asheville, North Carolina from a young age and feels privileged that she was able to grow up with the outdoors as part of her classroom. The daughter of a teacher from a family of educators, Morgan's education both within and out of the classroom instilled in her a deep love of learning. As a graduate of Asheville High School, Morgan understands the value of a diverse education, filled with good teachers, challenging classes and students from all backgrounds. Though she initially wanted to attend college outside of North Carolina, Morgan fell in love with Chapel Hill and decided to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a double major in History and Political Science in 2009.
Morgan knew early on in college that she wanted to attend graduate school, and after some debate decided that she wanted to pursue a career in law. After navigating the law school admissions process in the very competitive early years of the 2008 Recession, Morgan decided to attend New York Law School in New York City. After graduating from New York Law School in 2012 as a Social Change Advocacy affiliate of the Justice Action Center, Morgan started working for a boutique plaintiff's side employment law firm representing employees in class and collective action cases.
After their move back to Asheville, Morgan continued to practice law but was able to reconnect more closely with a family that she had nannied for throughout college and whose eldest was now beginning the college application process. As a high school athlete, she wanted to pursue both academics and college basketball, and navigating the recruiting and admissions process was at times overwhelming and convoluted for both her and her family. Shocked by the lack of support and the information shared with the family by both coaches and guidance counselors, Morgan helped her with her college selection and application process, culminating in her accepting admission to a college where she has since excelled both on and off the court. Combined with Chris's experience working financial aid, Morgan decided that she wanted to help more students and families throughout the application process.