Our Consultants
Meet The Team
Shondra Carpenter
Shondra recognized the ongoing need for direction in the college admissions process. She formed Steele Street College Consulting (SSCC) in 2014 in order to utilize her expertise and passion for working with students as they find the right fit for their future. Shondra believes that the right fit for a student is the most important factor for success in finding a college, as it becomes the student’s home for the duration of their study. Shondra attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln where she received a BA in History & Spanish, UNLV where she received a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, and the University of Phoenix where she received an MA in School Counseling. She has 23 years of experience working in the high school setting, first as a Spanish and Social Studies teacher, and since 2002, as a high school counselor. Shondra is an associate member of the Independent Education Consultant Association (IECA) and an active member of the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC). She has served on Counselor Advisory Boards to several universities and has developed professional relationships with college and university representatives from across the country. Her experience working with students, visiting college campuses, and studying the world of college admissions, has helped her recognize what it takes to support students and families achieve success throughout the college planning process. When not working with students, Shondra can be found traveling (most often visiting college campuses), practicing yoga, enjoying time with her husband & two teenagers, her beloved Yorkie & Golden-Doodle puppy.
Abby Reynolds
Abby’s interest in college consulting was “sparked” while her oldest daughter worked with SSCC on her college journey in 2017. Since then, Abby has completed the Independent Education Consultant (IEC) Certification through the University of California at Irvine. Abby is also in the process of becoming an associate member of the Independent Education Consultants Association (IECA) and the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA). Abby attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and received a Bachelor of Science in Journalism with an emphasis in Marketing. Following graduation, Abby spent the majority of her professional life as a project manager for Global Crossing. Abby is an active member in her Denver community and has fostered strong relationships with several public, private and charter schools. She is involved with the Education Committee at the CU Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center and helps promote the importance of mental health and suicide prevention. Abby truly believes in finding the “right-fit” school for each student, and that is seen through her own three children who have collectively attended three different elementary schools, three different middle schools and two different high schools. Abby’s passion for mental health and finding the “right fit,” combined with her education has helped Abby understand how to be successful in the college admissions process. In her free time, Abby enjoys the Colorado outdoors and can often be found walking her two goldendoodles, kickboxing, or hiking. Abby has been married to her husband Morgan for 21 years and they have three children.
Michele Doll
Michele, Doctor of Education, earned her Ed.D. from the University of Southern California in Educational Leadership. Michele also attended Loyola Marymount University where she earned both a BA in History and a M.Ed. in Teaching and Administration. Michele has 28 years of progressively increasing education experience serving students and parents as a High School Teacher, High School Assistant Principal, Middle School Principal, High School Principal, District Office Administrator and currently as Assistant Superintendent of a TK-12 Unified School District. Michele is a result orientated professional who believes in building collaborative partnerships to maximize opportunities for students. Her educational leadership experience and her belief in the academic, social, and emotional growth of students has led to her professional success and a broad understanding of how best to assist students. Michele knows that there is a college or university out there for every student. As an educator she has assisted hundreds of students through both the college application process and the actual transition from high school to college. For Michele it isn’t just about where you go to college, but why you go. It is all about finding the right fit and getting involved in student life throughout the 4-year college experience. When not working, Michele and her husband can be found cheering on the USC football team, snowboarding in Mammoth Lakes, and visiting their two college aged daughters at the Art Center College of Design.
Dawn Taylor Owens
Dawn Taylor Owens is the founder and president of DTO Strategies, a full-service, bi-partisan public affairs firm providing clients with expertise in public and media relations, K-12 and higher education policy, brand development and marketing, multi-issue writing and editing, government relations, strategic communications, issue management, team building, public outreach and stakeholder engagement, and policy and political insight. Prior to founding DTO Strategies, Taylor Owens served as Executive Director of College In Colorado for the Colorado Department of Higher Education in February for 11 years under Governors Owens, Hickenlooper, and Ritter. In this role, she led a statewide initiative, including outreach and Web site services, to help Colorado students plan their future and help ensure that they are postsecondary and workforce ready when they leave high school. Taylor Owens served as Director of Communications for the Colorado Department of Natural Resources from February of 2002 – February 2006. As primary liaison for the Department with the news media, she was called upon to write opinion editorials, press releases, newsletters, issue papers, and articles for publication. This experience capitalized on her earlier role as Speechwriter and senior staff for Governor Bill Owens. Appointed in August of 1999, Taylor Owens researched, wrote, and edited all of the Governor’s speeches. She was also charged with various writing assignments, and to write speeches for members of the Governor’s Cabinet and staff. Before moving to Colorado, Taylor Owens lived in Washington, D.C. where she served as Press Secretary to Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon. In this position, she was a spokesperson for Senator Smith, establishing a positive relationship between the Senator and members of the local, state, national and Capitol Hill press corps. She coordinated media interviews, press conferences, and coverage of the Senator’s speeches and appearances, and briefed the Senator prior to television and radio appearances. Taylor Owens worked for two other Senators in Washington D.C., Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming and Senator Frank Murkowski of Alaska. Additionally, she served as guest host and moderator of “Ask Your Senator” – a weekly syndicated television program featuring United States Senators. During her time in DC, Taylor Owens also was a freelance television producer for AP Sports Television, where she wrote copy and produced video for the AP’s clients, including ESPN, the NFL Network, and FOX Sports. Taylor Owens has spoken throughout the state on both political and non-political bi-partisan topics, on higher education, and on other policy issues critical to the state of Colorado, as well as critical issues facing the West. She serves on the Boards of Directors for Goodwill Industries and is Vice President of the Northfield High School Foundation Board of Directors. Taylor Owens also spends time out of the office as a freelance writer and as a voice coach. A Wyoming native, Taylor Owens was raised in Laramie and currently resides in Denver. She is a graduate of The University of Wyoming with a degree in Broadcasting. She resides in Denver with her husband Jim, their two boys, Harlan (18) and Taylor (16), and their French Bulldog Touchdown (6).