About Us
Heather & Kathleen
Heather and Kathleen, former classmates and alumni of the UC Irvine Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) certificate program, have joined forces as associates in Options Abound Educational Consulting.
They bring complementary and specialized expertise to the college application process. Meeting weekly, they review student work and collaborate in their commitment to stay current on the always changing landscape of college admissions.
Get to know
Heather Freitag
Mom to 4 young adults
I raised four children and know firsthand the challenges associated with managing the launch to college. It is all full of emotion, hard work, and ends with a goodbye. I have also helped many families navigate the college search and application process. My personal experience as a mom gives me empathy and wisdom in guiding families through this journey.
I began my career as a social worker.
I come to college counseling with a unique skill set. My clinical background and education are solid assets that have prepared me well. I hold an MSW-Clinical Track from Portland State University, a BS in Sociology from Willamette University, and a UC Irvine Independent Educational Consultant Certificate.
Associate Member of IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association).
I know the power of a good story!
I am an avid reader, lover of stories and storytelling. Colleges want students to tell their story in a way that is captivating, authentic and meaningful. Strong essays open doors. As many colleges remove testing as a primary weight in admissions, essays have become far more important. When working with students I get them to tell me their stories: Stories about their day, stories about a recent struggle or achievement, stories about the mundane, and stories about what they most care about. I keep a record of these stories and then pull them out when it is time for the student to write!
Get to know
Kathleen Paniagua
Out of the box path….
Kathleen has worked in several academic settings – first as a Sign Language Interpreter for 12 years in colleges and the private sector, later as a Resource Specialist in K-5 public schools, and now for 20+ years in private practice as a Learning Specialist, working with students K-12 through college. Over the past 8 years, Kathleen has worked as a volunteer college advisor for first-generation college students.
First-Generation
As a first-generation college student, Kathleen holds a unique perspective on the additional challenges these students navigate in the college process. Kathleen holds an MA in Learning and Instruction from the University of San Francisco, a State of California Education Specialist Credential/Mild & Moderate Disabilities, a BA in Liberal Arts from San Francisco State University, and a UC Irvine Independent Educational Consultant Certificate.
Associate Member of IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association).
Paying forward
Kathleen maintains an active role in her professional community, both in the San Francisco Bay area (gifted with nieces, nephews, cousins and childhood friends) and the Pacific Northwest (living 12 blocks from her grandsons). She continues serving as an IEC volunteer for students in underserved communities. Kathleen believes in paying forward the tremendous support she received in her own college journey.
Being able to text with Heather about my everyday questions and anxieties was beyond helpful. Without her counseling, I feel like I would have been totally in over my head. Heather is organized, accommodating, and kind and I couldn’t recommend her enough!
