Our Foundation: Excellence Through Near-Peer Mentorship.
Dewey Smart was founded by Michael Gao, a Columbia University student with a vision to democratize access to top-tier academic guidance. Today, that vision thrives under the leadership of our Core Strategy Team and a network of 50+ exceptional mentors from Ivy League and Top 50 universities. We remain committed to the original mission: connecting ambitious students with near-peer mentors who provide the most current, personalized insights into competitive admissions and academic excellence.
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The Core Strategy Team: Operational Excellence.
Boris Berenberg
Owner & CEO
Boris is focused on modernizing the student platform, driving data-informed decisions, and ensuring every client benefits from the highest standard of operational stability.
Kathryn Phung
Head of Coach Mentorship
Kathryn is Dewey Smart's longest-tenured coach and advises both students and coaches to maximize student outcomes. She holds a BS in Organic Chemistry from Rice University and an MPH from UTHealth Houston. Under her guidance, her students have achieved 150+ point increases on the SAT, 8+ points on the ACT, and admissions to MIT, Yale, UCLA, UC Berkeley, NYU, USC, Boston University, Georgetown, and Northeastern, among other top colleges.
Brittany Seidmeyer
Student Programs Manager
With 13+ years as an educator and academic consultant, Brittany specializes in college readiness and academic planning. She holds a BA in Liberal Studies and an MA in Administration & Educational Leadership from California State - Fresno. At Dewey Smart, Brittany is excited to apply data-driven strategies to help students build skills, confidence, and clear pathways to success.
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