Meet the team at HYPed Consulting
Our team is dedicated to providing expert guidance and support to students and parents. We are passionate about making a positive impact on the educational journey of our clients and ensuring their success.
Jessica Cai
Co-Founder & Consultant
Area of Expertise: domestic undergraduate application, community college transfer, graduate application (academia), student-athlete recruitment
Jessica Cai is an educator and researcher in the field of education. She conducts interdisciplinary research combining cognitive science and educational technology, focusing on designing interventions to support teaching and learning in the classroom. She has had the unique opportunity to conduct innovative design-based research, develop digital learning tools, and deploy cognitively grounded educational interventions in classrooms throughout Orange County. Her work has been presented at AERA and ISLS. Additionally, she is the recipient of the Chancellor’s Award of Distinction and a member of one of the most prestigious honor societies in the country - Phi Beta Kappa. Currently, she is a doctoral student at Northwestern University and holds dual degrees in education science and English. She completed her Master’s (Ed.M) at Harvard University. In addition to her academic work, Jessica has successfully mentored students, helping them gain admission to top-tier universities in the U.S. like Columbia and UPenn.
EDUCATION
UC Irvine, B.A English and Education Science '23
Harvard University, Ed.M Learning Design '24
Northwestern University, Doctoral Student '29
Kelly Song
Co-Founder and Lead Consultant
Area of Expertise: undergraduate admission, private high school admissions, graduate application (professional), international student support
Kelly Song holds an undergraduate degree from Peking University and a master's from Harvard Graduate School of Education. As a foreign-born Chinese, she is fluent in both Chinese and English, boasting a perfect TOEFL writing score. She currently works at the Office of Student Affairs at Harvard University supporting international students. Under her guidance, her students have received admissions to top universities like Brown, Cornell, Harvard, and Columbia. Her expertise in storytelling and essay writing helps students craft standout application materials, showcasing their unique experiences and aspirations.
EDUCATION
Peking University, B.A Arts Management '21
Harvard University, Ed.M Human Development '24
Snow Li
Co-Founder and Social Emotional Coach
Area of Expertise: mock interviews, entrepreneurship and business, passion project development, socio-emotional coaching, international student support
Snow Li is a serial social entrepreneur, founder, and life coach dedicated to sustainability, social responsibility, and the well-being of Asian and Asian-American youth. She holds dual degrees in statistics and finance from Lehigh University. As an international "third culture kid," Snow offers unique empathy and understanding in her work. A passionate life coach and advocate for mental health and education, she supports students and professionals in navigating cultural, disability, and educational journeys, emphasizing the importance of well-being. She is continuing her studies at Stanford Graduate School of Business.
EDUCATION
Lehigh University, B.S Statistics and Finance
Harvard University, Ed.M Education Leadership '24
Stanford University, MBA Candidate '26
Cynthia Liu
Co-Founder and Senior Consultant
Area of Expertise: European and Canadian university admission, academic support, English as Second Language support, scholarship application, career preparation
Cynthia graduated from the University of British Columbia (Canada) with a Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Science (Honours), and a TESOL Certificate. Cynthia then graduated from Harvard University with a Master of Education. She holds a K-12 Teaching Certificate in Canada and has taught K-16 students in both Canada and the United States (in private and public institutions). Her experience studying in China, Canada, and the U.S. enables her to adapt her teaching to support students from diverse cultural and linguistic background. She supports her students to explore their academic passions and has experience with top university admission and scholarship applications in North America and Europe.
EDUCATION
University of British Columbia, BSc Conservation Science and B.Ed. '22
Harvard University, Ed.M Learning Design '24
CERTIFICATION
TESOL Certified
OUR MISSION
Here at HYPed Consulting, we firmly believe that every student possesses their own unique brilliance, and our commitment is to guide each and every student in finding the most suitable path. By uniting the strength of the many, we create extraordinary individuals.
CORE VALUES:
Empowerment
We believe in empowering our students to make informed decisions and take control of their educational journey.
Voice
We want to elevate our students' voices and help them tell their unique stories.
Inclusivity
Inclusivity is at the heart of our approach, ensuring that all individuals have access to high-quality educational support and resources.