What we do
Mosaico mentors help students define academic goals, prepare for standardized tests, develop a personalized list of colleges and universities, and complete the college application process.
How we do it
Our program is holistic, personalized, and professional. Through mentorship, we build relationships based on trust and accountability with our students. We help them develop the tools they need to succeed in their application process.
Who we are
We are a team of passionate educators with extensive experience guiding students through their college application process. Our students have access to the cumulative knowledge of our academically and professionally diverse team. Every week, our mentors meet to research and develop tools to tackle the challenges of each student’s personalized program.
our values
Integrity
We value integrity in our work and teach students to be the agents of their own success. We set high ethical standards for ourselves and our students and abide by the Statement of Principles of Good Practice published by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling.
Curiosity
We practice open-minded curiosity throughout the college application process and encourage our students to do the same. By asking them to reflect on who they are and how they see themselves in the future, we encourage each student to be open to distinct, exciting possibilities.
Respect
For students to grow throughout the college application process, having respect for themselves and their own work is essential. Mentors and students also show respect for each other, by listening attentively, communicating honestly, and demonstrating care.
Joy
At Mosaico, there is joy in learning. We care about helping students find joy in the college application process and not just in the end result. Although the process is intensive, we love teaching and focus on making our classes enjoyable.
Intention
Students are at the center of our work. We help guide their college application process based on their unique intentions and decisions. We collaboratively endeavor to bring students’ intentions through to completion.
What our students and parents are saying
and where they’re studying!
"Mosaico and its tutors made the difference in the college admission process that Emilia went through. Their professionalism and caring and patient guidance, step by step, made the process more humane and motivated Emi to have fun and write about herself making it a true learning experience.
For everything, thank you Mosaico!”
- Valeria González (Emi’s mom)
“Mosaico was the best way to write my applications. They work closely with you and help you write your story as accurately as possible. It was the best help, but also a really great experience!”
- María León
“In my personal experience, Mosaico has been an invaluable program to guide me through the complicated and complex process of applying to universities.
My mentor has been amazing in understanding and helping me find the right path. She was always committed in working tirelessly alongside me to make sure that I maximize my potential and have as many options as possible. It is no understatement to say that there would have been no way for me to go through this process as successfully as I have without the help of Mosaico.”
- Eduardo Ramos
“Working with Mosaico made the whole applying process very easy and reduced the stress of it by a lot. My mentor helped me succeed in both my SAT (raising my score by more than 150 points) and my applying process.
Due to the time management of the process and how organized we were, I was able to apply to over 10 schools and get accepted to more than half of them. The whole process of applying was very easy from the start and very personalized to my own needs which helped me find a school that fit me and my personal wants. Overall, I would recommend Mosaico to everyone who is either preparing for the SAT/ACT or preparing to apply to college.”
- Francisco Briseño
“Before working with Mosaico Mentors, I was intimidated by the idea of applying to a university; something that made me avoid and put the process off for as long as possible. As soon as I had my first session with my mentor, I gained the confidence to start the process of applying to a university that would eventually help me accomplish what I want in life.
This would not have been possible without the amazing, helpful and dedicated people at Mosaico Mentors.”
- Julián González van der Stoel
“I really am so impressed with Mosaico Mentors' commitment to kind, personal and knowledgeable attention and service!
I think years from now my son will look back on them with gratitude and recognition for the key and valuable role they played in helping him shape his future.”
- Gabriela van der Stoel (Julian’s mom)
“Mosaico's help and guidance was an invaluable and timely complement to our son's application effort. It is clear it helped him better understand the best approach to applications and generally to the process. Our questions were promptly answered, and available tools and references were also promptly identified in connection with specific concerns or areas of interest in the preferred University or College selection process.
We are satisfied with the efforts made with the support of Mosaico and very grateful with the organization.”
- Alicia Koller (Carl’s mom)
Meet our team
Passionate educators with extensive experience
Alina Aksiyote
Alina is a co-founder of Mosaico and loves teaching. She coordinates Mosaico’s non-profit programs and workshops and has mentored over sixty students through their college entrance exams, academic subjects and college admissions process. Alina studied Anthropology at Yale University.
During her time in college, Alina designed and taught a food justice summer course for middle schoolers and ran an after school radio production program for high schoolers. After graduating, she was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to teach English at a non-profit school in New Delhi, India.
With Mosaico, Alina has taught several classes and workshops on social justice issues and gender equity. She loves learning from her students and creating spaces of dialogue. She’s passionate about helping students find joy in learning and agency in their lives.
Alex Vértiz
Alex studied at the EDRON Academy, Lycée Franco Mexicain (Mexico) and UWC Atlantic College (UK). He graduated from Brown University (USA) where he studied International Relations, as well as Portuguese and Brazilian Studies.
Alex coordinated a Diplomatic Course with the Mexican and Chilean Foreign Ministries and worked as an Admissions Counselor for academic programs abroad. His interest in education led him to design courses for youth empowerment, critical engagement, as well as to launch startups and social impact initiatives. Alex is most passionate about creating supportive communities founded on the principles of collaboration.
Christine Aranda
Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Christine graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she volunteered with the non-profit organization, Orange County Literacy, and at UNC’s Writing Center, supporting immigrants and international graduate students in improving their English language skills. She also studied Latin American Studies at the Universidad Católica de Argentina and has worked in Mexico City for the past five years.
Christine is passionate about helping others work toward reaching their full potential. She has several years of experience guiding students through test preparation, math tutoring, ESL lessons, and the college application process.In her spare time, she enjoys candle making and language learning.
Theo Twidwell
Theo, originally from California, graduated magna cum laude from Macalester College where he double-majored in American Studies and Educational Studies. He went on to teach summer courses on writing to classes of seventh-graders from populations historically excluded from tertiary education. He later developed a local history curriculum for learners within an economically marginalized neighborhood in Managua, Nicaragua. Upon graduation, he worked as a mentor aiding students throughout public schools in St. Paul with their academic and socio-emotional skills.
A first-generation college graduate, Theo has engaged his passion for connecting others with the opportunities afforded by a university education by guiding over 50 students through the college application process in the US, Canada, and Europe. When free, Theo likes to swim, try new foods, and explore Mexico.
Mónica Orozco
Mónica is a clinical psychologist and ESL professional with over 20 years of experience in bilingual, bicultural, and international education. With a strong foundation in clinical psychology, Monica has provided educational and emotional counseling to adolescents and adults, focusing on their overall well-being and development. She has specialized training in areas such as College guidance, the Neurobiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Psychometry and Learning Problems in Children and Adolescents.
Monica combines her clinical expertise with her extensive experience in college and career counseling, helping students achieve their academic and personal goals. Her academic credentials include a degree in Clinical Psychology from Universidad Latinoamericana and additional diplomas from UNAM, Yale University and Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Joanne Phipps
Joanne hails from the UK and US, and has lived in several states, most notably New York and North Carolina. She completed a Bachelor's in journalism and Classical Art & Archaeology before pursuing graduate degrees in Anthropology and International Studies. She's since served as an independent college counselor, university professor and ethnographer on indigenous rights issues for the past 15 years. She is also a certified ESL instructor.
Joanne has guided international students in applying to the US, UK, Canada, France, Spain, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands. She believes quality education and equity are key to expanding and diversifying people's economic opportunities, no matter their age. To that end, she offers free or low-cost English classes to adults in her village in Oaxaca with the goal of developing a permanent English education program for the community.
In her free time, Joanne also loves connecting with people through their culinary traditions, so you'll likely find her in someone's kitchen. Another of her creative escapes is photographing land and humanscapes with her dad's 1968 Canon camera.
Ana Flores
Ana studied mathematics at the UNAM and currently studies her masters in computer science and engineering at the Institute for Applied Mathematics. She worked as an assistant and professor at UNAM’s Department of Science for seven years. She also worked on the computing systems for the National Electoral Institute (INE), as well as those of a few private companies.
Her interest in education has led her to participate in social literacy projects for the elderly, musical education programs, and holistic education programs for children with autism. At Mosaico, Ana helps students prepare standardized admission tests for Mexican and American universities. She also helps students expand their knowledge and skills on school subjects, through our Academic Support program. Ana also designs and facilitates gender equity workshops with Mosaico at a public middle school.
Astrid Jaimen
Astrid has always been fascinated by math and foreign languages. She loves teaching, and started teaching math and preparing students for exams in high school. She has a Bachelor’s in Mathematics by UNAM and worked as an assistant professor during her studies.
From an early age started immersing herself in a variety of foreign languages. She has experience teaching English as a second language, with students of a wide range of ages, levels and with different objectives. She has focused on teaching with a constructive and hands-on fun approach centered on the students.
In her free time, she loves playing board games, reading sci-fi books and walking in nature.
Abigail Garrison
Abigail is an artist, writer, and educator living in Mexico City. She attended DePauw University and later the MFA for Poets & Writers at UMass Amherst. While in graduate school, Abigail taught English composition courses to first-year students as part of the UMass Amherst Writing Program.
With a background in poetry, Abigail is a passionate teacher of writing across all subjects and formats. For the past five years, she has focused her professional life on helping students craft dynamic college essays.
In her free time, Abigail enjoys making art, whether it’s painting, collage, film photography, or writing.