As a college counselor and education professional, Maxine meets her students where they’re at in order to create plans of action that align with students’ goals, academic history, personal capacity and well-being, and their parents’ priorities. During her time at UCLA, Maxine served high school, community college, and UCLA students as a counselor while supporting them in navigating the immense personal and familial pressure that came with their pursuit of higher education. After graduating, she worked as a college coach for undergraduates and supported community college students in their preparation and applications to transfer to four-year institutions.
Maxine believes that the college application process is a formative experience for students that requires self-reflection and open-mindedness. Relationship and rapport-building between her and her students is an important part of her approach as a counselor, as it allows for honest discussion to create attainable plans of action. Her approach to essay writing is grounded in her counseling background, and her questions support students in thinking about their motivations, experiences, and how these things impact their larger goals. Maxine is a big proponent of encouraging flexibility and adaptability as she assists clients in attaining their goals as they move through the unpredictability of life.
- She worked in coffee shops for over four years, during which she built meaningful relationships with a number of customers.
- Maxine became certified in Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid training through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
- She learned to crochet when she was 5 years old and has loved creating with yarn ever since.
- She was a member of Kappa Psi Epsilon Sorority, Inc., a Filipino/Pinay-interest sorority.
- Maxine is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, then moved to Los Angeles and eventually New York City.
