HECA Experts Express | Late Start Clients
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM) (EDT)
Description
Through personal observations and real-world experiences, the presenters of the Late Start Client webinar will help you determine whether working with students who begin the college planning process late is the right fit for your practice. We’ll explore the potential benefits and challenges of taking on these students, examine the reasons some families delay seeking college counseling, and discuss how you may need to adapt your approach to effectively support this unique and often demanding group.
Guest
Lorraine Serra
Director, Portfolio College Counseling
Lorraine Serra is the Founder and Managing Director of Portfolio College Counseling (PCC), specializing in guiding creative students through the college admissions process with strong, distinctive art and design portfolios. With over forty years of experience as a design professional, educator, and business owner, she helps students clarify their artistic goals, strengthen their academic direction, and stand out in competitive college applications.
Lorraine holds a Certificate in College Counseling with Distinction from UCLA, an MA in Graphic Design from the Savannah College of Art & Design, and a BS in Visual Arts from Purchase College. She is an active member of HECA and NACAC, ensuring families receive current, informed, and strategic guidance. Before founding PCC, Lorraine led Chiaro Design, a studio specializing in packaging, typography, and print. She has taught at the Fashion Institute of Technology and continues to support young creatives through lectures, articles, and workshops.
Guest
Donna Sakabu, CEP
Insightful College Planning
Donna is a Certified Educational Planner (CEP) who has spent the last 14 years helping families navigate college admissions with clarity, strategy, and confidence. A dedicated and passionate counselor, Donna holds a B.S. in Business Administration (Finance) from Cal Poly Pomona and a Graduate Certificate in College Counseling with Distinction from UCLA. An active member of both IECA and HECA, she has completed HECA’s PDI and the IECA Summer Training Institute, served as a HECA Regional Coordinator (2015-2020), and held various IECA leadership roles. To ensure students find their best-fit schools, Donna engages in weekly professional development and has personally visited over 250 college campuses. Outside of working with students, Donna loves nature walks, traveling, reading, and spending time with loved ones. Transplants from Sacramento, CA, Donna and her husband currently reside in McKinney, TX, where they love exploring their adopted home state.
Guest
Donna Siegel, CEP
College Click
Click here to register
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to access the webinar.
For those who are unable to attend, we will have a recorded video available for viewing from the HECA Info Hub.
This is a FREE live webinar for HECA Members