College, Reimagined: A Global Start to the College Experience

Sam Joustra

Head of Student and Family Programming, Top Tier Admissions

Sam brings a rare blend of deep admissions expertise, program design, and student- centered leadership to her role as Head of Student and Family Programming at Top Tier Admissions. She previously served as an admissions officer at the University of Michigan and as Assistant Director of Admissions at Vanderbilt University, where she earned her Master of Education degree in Higher Education Administration. With years of college counseling experience, Sam has guided students through the admissions process, building trusted relationships as she helped them identify and gain admission to best-fit colleges.

At Top Tier Admissions, Sam leads our annual Application Boot Camp® and our virtual and in-person events. These curated, high-touch experiences are intentionally crafted to give students and families space for clarity, reflection, and confident decision-making—pairing strategic guidance with a calm, supportive environment that reduces stress and restores perspective during a high- stakes process. Sam is a nationally recognized thought partner in college admissions strategy. She has presented at the National Association for College Admission Counseling’s Annual Conference (NACAC).

Dr. Jennifer Ziegenfus

Verto Education

Dr. Jennifer Ziegenfus, formerly Associate Vice Chancellor for Admissions and Precollege at the University of Colorado Boulder, brings nearly two decades of higher education experience to her work at Verto Education. In her current role, she drives innovation in partnership and pathway design, expanding direct transfer admission opportunities between global first-year programs and universities. Jennifer works with institutional partners to design transfer pathways that streamline students’ transition from alternative first-year experiences into degree programs. Her work focuses on improving access to global institutions, simplifying transfer processes, and aligning academic pathways between sending and receiving institutions.

Stephanie Espina

Director of Strategic Engagement, Verto Education

Stephanie Espina is the Director of Strategic Engagement at Verto Education, where she leads initiatives that strengthen relationships with university partners, high school counselors, and key stakeholders. Prior to joining Verto, Stephanie spent more than 15 years in higher education, serving as Director of Undergraduate Admission and Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management at Adelphi University. Stephanie has been recognized for her leadership in the profession, including being named a College Admissions Influencer by Forbes, and is a Past President of the New York State Association for College Admission Counseling (NYSACAC).