Scholars' Hope Foundation
Building the Foundation for Success
Founded 1997
Scholars' Hope Foundation was founded in 1997 in Huntington Beach, California. It is currently run by our CEO, Colleen Mensel. We have evolved through the years to meet the ever-changing demands that students face in their education and in life.
As of 2020, we have moved to an all online platform in hoping to expand our reach and include students in need of our one of a kind program all over the United States. This move has allowed us to implement much more one on one guidance for your student.
Our team is highly trained to address your students' unique needs. We provide online personalized attention and support that will motivate your child to actualize their full potential.
Our Mission
Through whole child instruction, Scholars’ Hope’s mission is to lay a balanced foundation for success through academic, social and emotional development to achieve personal well being, essential life skills, and a lifelong love of learning.
21st Century Whole Child Approach
Why:
We are at a pivotal point in human history in which student stress levels are at an all time high. At Scholars’ Hope, we firmly believe the social-emotional wellness of every student impacts their ability to succeed academically.
What:
Scholars’ Hope Foundation is a supplemental enrichment program. Our proven, whole child approach provides each student with the vital skills necessary to navigate life’s stressors by becoming the best version of themselves.
How:
We utilize 1 to 1 and group coaching, academic support, and the development of emotional intelligence to support resilient, confident and successful students.
What We provide:
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Personalized, one on one and group coaching with a credentialed teacher
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Regular access to a credentialed guidance counselor
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Individualized college readiness advising
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Career development support
Meet The Team
We have high quality, trained staff that addresses your child's individual needs. We provide online personalized attention and support that will motivate your child to actualize their full potential.
Colleen Mensel
Chief Executive Officer
Colleen has been with Scholars’ Hope since 2011. In her time with SHF, she has led the organization and stewarded its growth from a field trip based program to an in depth academic and social emotional learning environment based on the latest educational research.
Hanna Tran
Elementary & Middle School Educator
Hanna is a credentialed teacher, she holds a Masters degree in Education from UC Irvine. She has been working with students in the field of education for over 7 years. She is currently a Reading Intervention Teacher at a public school in Orange County. Her goal is to equip students to become lifelong learners that will continue to thrive as they transition into high school. She also has a passion for art and believes every student is an artist ready to create their own masterpiece.
Tara Polich
High School Educator & Community Liaison
Tara attended college at Cal State San Marcos where she received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She went on to graduate school at Alliant International University where she earned a Master of Arts in Education with a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Psychology. Over a span of 10 years, Tara has extensive experience working with children and adolescents of all ages in both home and school environments. She has a passion for ensuring every student reaches their full potential and has the opportunity to succeed in their academics regardless of any obstacles that may be in their way.
Marisol Farfan
Program Coordinator
Marisol has a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Services from Cal State LA. She has worked in the Nonprofit environment for ten years, providing academic support to students experiencing homelessness, and has experience implementing recruitment strategies. She is passionate about doing work with a purpose and making a difference for future generations.
Board of Directors
Emily Zhou
Director of Education
Emily has her Masters in School Counseling with a Concentration in Bilingual School Counseling and her Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of San Francisco. Emily has provided social emotional school counseling to students from various grade levels, including elementary, middle, and high school. She believes social emotional learning plays an integral role in students' academic achievement and growth. She also has experience as a college counselor guiding high school students step-by-step throughout the application and admissions process. Emily loves supporting her students and connecting with them.
Lauren Ventimiglia
Social Media & Website Design Specialist
Lauren has been with Scholars' Hope Foundation since 2017. She oversees all of our Social Media and website design. She has her Associates of Arts in Sciences from Everett Community College . She is passionate about making sure that anyone who wants to succeed can with the right guidance from Scholars' Hope.
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Claudia Gomez Psychologist
Claudia R. Gomez has
worked with our parent
program for two years. She is
a Spanish-speaking
credentialed School
Psychologist from San Diego
State University.
She has worked in the high
school setting for 17 years by
providing social/emotional
counseling services for
students of all grades. She
also coordinates intervention
meetings to address
difficulties with academics,
attendance or behavior. One
of her passions is working
with parents and providing
information and resources
related to adolescent
development.
Roni Ellis
Chair of the Board
Principal, J.H. Mcgaugh Elementary
Los Alamitos Unified School District
Stan Mullin
Vice Chair of the Board
Managing Member,
Mullin Capital & Asset Management, LLC
Mark Czepiel
Treasurer of the Board
CFO, Menlo Micro
Toni Gregory
Secretary of the Board
Retired Educator
Dede Markel
Member at Large
Assistant Fund Controller,
Capital Group Companies
Cameron Jalbert
Member at Large
Chartered Financial Consultant, ChFC
Chatterton & Associates
Board of Directors
Our Partners & Supporters
Ueberroth Family Foundation
Crevier Family Foundation
Fluor Foundation
Wells Fargo Foundation
Western Digital
DevTo Foundation
Green Family Foundation
NFL Foundation
Orange County Community Foundation
Tony & October Gonzalez
Teach a Man to Fish Foundation
US Bank Foundation
Assistance League of Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach City School District
Huntington Beach Union High School District
Finance Lab