A Leader Bridging Education, Innovation, and Community Impact

 

Tamara M. Baptiste is a dynamic leader and Cornell University engineering graduate who seamlessly blends her technical expertise with a passion for education and community empowerment. As a two-time Cornell University College of Engineering alumna (BS in Operations Research and Engineering; M. Eng in Engineering Management), Tamara has built a career spanning federal and state agencies, and the healthcare sector while maintaining a deep commitment to expanding educational access.

​

In 2015, Tamara founded The College Application Specialist™, where she leverages her Ivy League education and decades of professional experience to guide students and families through the complex college admissions process. With a focus on STEM, business, and pre-professional programs, she has helped students gain acceptance to over 65 prestigious institutions, including Ivy League universities, top-tier HBCUs, and selective colleges nationwide with over $25 Million in scholarship and merit aid. Her expertise in higher education recently led to her collaboration with renowned entrepreneur Percy "Master P" Miller by contributing "The Power of Higher Education" chapter to his book "Mastering Wealth, Vol. 1 Power."

​

Through The College Application Specialist™, Tamara has established partnerships with major library systems, churches, housing authorities, civic and service organizations in the DC Metro Area to provide college admissions workshops to thousands of parents and students. She is currently a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. – Queen City Metropolitan Chapter and the Top Ladies of Distinction – Concord Chapter, and the Junior League of Charlotte.  

​

As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Change Management Professional, and SCRUM Master, Tamara's leadership has been recognized with multiple awards – she was named as a Modern Day Technology Leader by BEYA; a finalist for the Technology Heroine Award (Heroines of Washington); Office of the Commissioner Award (FDA); Excellence in Health Equity (CDC); and was recently nominated for XYZ by ITSMF in recognition of ABC.   Tamara also earned a College Counseling and Higher Education Certificate (with Distinction) from UCLA, and an Executive Certificate in Organizational Development and Change Leadership Consulting from Georgetown University.