Sarina Patel

Sarina Patel, MA, is a dedicated higher education professional with over a decade of experience in counseling, student success, and program leadership. Her work centers on supporting students and families through critical academic and career transitions, with a particular focus on college access, holistic development, and equitable outcomes. 

She has served as an Assistant Director & Evaluator for the Mental Health Professional Expansion Project at Long Island University, where she played a key role in supporting large-scale program operations. She led outreach and recruitment initiatives, coordinated training and professional development opportunities, supported data analysis and progress monitoring, and helped implement frameworks such as communities of practice and implementation science to strengthen program impact. 

In addition to her leadership role, Sarina brings extensive hands-on experience in college counseling and student advising. She has worked closely with middle and high school students, as well as their families, providing individualized guidance on academic planning, college and career exploration, and the admissions process. Her work includes supporting students with course selection, extracurricular development, application strategy, and socio-emotional growth. She is especially passionate about working with first-generation and immigrant families, helping them navigate complex educational systems with clarity and confidence. 

Sarina has also held roles as a Student Success Manager and Enrollment Advisor, where she combined coaching, program coordination, and client relationship management. Across these positions, she has demonstrated a strong ability to manage large caseloads, foster meaningful relationships, and drive measurable outcomes for students. Her approach integrates empathy with structure balancing emotional support with strategic planning to help students achieve their