The Deans Program

A Portland, OR native, Davin has worked for 17 years in the college admissions and counseling field. Before joining Avenues in the Fall of 2020, he worked for 12 years as an admissions counselor at the University of Rochester where he managed the recruiting strategy for Metro New York City and read thousands of college applications. He worked as the Director of College Counseling, NYC for the largest independent counseling company in the country, Collegewise, and as a leave replacement counselor at Fox Lane High School in Bedford, NY.

He works each year with the NY State Association of College Admissions Counseling to mentor new admissions and college counselors, hosted a college admissions-themed podcast called "The Crush," and has been featured in the Chronicle of Higher Education, Good Morning America, and the 2021 NY Times bestseller, "The Price You Pay For College." He has BAs in Spanish and Film Studies from the University of Southern California and an MPA from NYU.

Kate Hardy joined Avenues in Fall 2025 as Dean of Students and College Counselor. Since beginning her career in education in 2007, Kate has dedicated much of her work to supporting high school juniors and seniors through the college process and helping students navigate their journeys in higher education. Early in her career, she also spent a formative year as a middle school social worker while earning her Master of Social Work, deepening her understanding of student wellbeing and development.

Kate is passionate about college access, mental health, and the role that writing and the arts play in helping young people explore complex ideas and better understand themselves. She thrives in work centered on mentorship, active listening, writing, and creative problem-solving, and believes that education is most meaningful when students feel empowered to pursue lives aligned with their values and aspirations.

One of Kate’s favorite lines from the Avenues mission statement is “artists no matter their field,” reflecting her belief that creativity, curiosity, and imagination are essential in every discipline and career path.

Outside of school, Kate enjoys cooking for family and friends, spending time outdoors—especially near water and greenery—and making and appreciating creative work. Her idea of a perfect weekend includes late-summer days in the Catskills with loved ones, meals sourced from a local farmers market, or a trip to the beach.

A fun fact: Kate won her sixth-grade geography bee, though she’s perhaps even prouder of the 150-page senior project she wrote after becoming unexpectedly fascinated with *The Scarlet Letter*.

Alex joined Avenues with an extensive background in college admissions. He previously held a position as the Director of College Counseling at an independent school in Queens and has served on various college admissions committees for many years, most recently at New York University (NYU).

Alex has devoted much of his career to working with international students and their families to navigate the competitive college admissions process. A regular invitee to professional panels and conferences, he has presented at various global events, including the Council of International Schools East Asia Regional Council in Bangkok, Thailand. He has served on various educational committees and was an elected member of the Board of Trustees for Study New York, Inc. Alex holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling, and a Professional Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Domenic Lamberti comes to Avenues with nearly a decade of experience in highly-selective college admissions, including work in college athletics, international admissions, legacy admissions, and faculty engagement.

Most recently, as the Deputy Director of College Admissions and Director of Faculty Engagement at the University of Chicago, Domenic read 1,000+ applications annually, managed faculty engagement with prospective and admitted students, and assisted with Division III volleyball recruitment. Domenic also serves as a member of the International Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC)'s Admissions and Practices committee.

Domenic holds a B.A. From Drake University and an M.S. from Northwestern University.

Nicole Piedra comes to Avenues with more than a decade of experience guiding students through selective college admissions, career exploration, and postsecondary transitions. A proud daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants and first-generation college graduate, Nicole has supported students through the entirety of the cradle to career spectrum between roles in teaching, advising, counseling, and program management. In the realm of college access, Nicole worked in Admissions at Duke University where she read and evaluated over 1,600 applications annually and led Latino recruitment initiatives. She also has served in direct college counseling and college preparation roles at Achievement First and Thrive Scholars.

Most recently, as the Associate Director for Career Development and Student Engagement at Pitzer College, Nicole advised students on career acquisition and postsecondary preparation. Nicole believes that the college process should empower students to make choices rooted in their sense of self, values, and aspirations, and she takes pride in helping students discover best-fit schools and pathways. She holds a B.A. from American University, an M.S. from Johns Hopkins University, and an Ed.D. concentrated in Educational Psychology from the University of Southern California, where her research focused on the concept of student belonging in higher education.