My Story

A headshot of Ellen Bremen. She is wearing a dark pink sweater and smiling. She has dark blond hair and kind eyes.

I’ve been there—I’m a first-generation college student who struggled, failed, and fell into the wrong career.

At 20, I was floundering through core classes at community college without direction when my father passed away suddenly. Though I’d been a strong student with dreams of becoming a journalist, family financial struggles meant there was no college plan. I left high school early, finishing through correspondence courses, and a secretary handed me my diploma over the summer. When I reached out to a professor for support after my father’s death, I didn’t find solutions, so I dropped out and worked for six years.

Growing up, my mother, a home-trained secretary, told me, “If you know how to type, you’ll always have work.” I became a medical transcriptionist, started my own business, and even bought a house before 24. On the surface, I was successful, but I felt isolated and unfulfilled. When my former college invited me to teach a continuing ed course on transcription, I realized I loved teaching and wanted to become a college professor. But to do so, I needed multiple degrees. I returned to school, earning my Associate’s, then a Bachelor’s, and finally a Master’s in Communication Studies, all while working full-time.

Now, 24 years later, I’m a tenured faculty member and advisor at Highline College. I know what it’s like to feel lost, face life’s setbacks, and juggle work with school. My passion is helping students, at any stage, find their path in education and careers. There are plenty of services that help students with SATs and admissions. I’m here to be the support I needed back then, someone who can guide you to the path that’s right for you.

Qualifications

I am tenured faculty and an advisor in the Communication Studies Department at Highline College for 20 years. Prior to that, I was tenure-track faculty for four years in the Speech Department at Darton College, a two-year unit of the University of Georgia system. In this role, I earned an Advisor of the Year award. 

I’ve earned three national awards for teaching and eLearning innovation from the National Council of Instructional Administrators, the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development, and the Sloan-Consortium. I’ve authored a book called, “Say This, Not That to Your Professor: 20 Talking Tips for College Success” (Cognella, Pearson). I’ve written college advice articles for USA Today and the Washington Post, and contributed to an article in U.S. News and World Report. 

Outside of my faculty/advising career, I am an instructional designer who has built courses in myriad disciplines for universities across the country for iDesign. My earlier instructional design expertise resulted in my serving on a Gates Foundation Open Course Library grant for two years through the State Board of Community and Technical colleges. All this to say I’ve seen the curriculum for many different courses outside of my field over the years.

Finally, with specialization in public speaking, interpersonal communication, organizational behavior, employability skills, and leadership development, I have done considerable corporate training for employees, trainers, and leaders. Companies include Merck Pharmaceuticals, M&M/Mars, Cooper Tire, the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals, AquaQuip, and most recently, the College Success Foundation. 

I have a Master of Arts in Communication Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Post-Secondary Education/Workforce Development, both from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as well as an Associate of Arts degree in General Transfer from College of Southern Nevada.


Publications

Say This Not That to Your Professor: 20 Talking Tips For College Success

Readers learn how to communicate professionally in common classroom situations, such as overcoming grade confusion, respectfully challenging a professor, dealing with zeroes and extra credit, and managing late work or absences.

Photograph of a college library and books on communication

College101: Communication
is Critical in Online Classes, Too

If communication between students and professors is important in a face-to-face class, it’s downright critical in an online class. Without in-person, in-class nudges from profs, online students can quickly fall behind; some remain terminally behind.

6 Things You Should Say
to Your Professor

You’re in a bind or you’re confused. What should you say to your professor?

Everything you read about speaking to professors warns that you shouldn’t tick them off, ruin their impression of you, or say something to sink you further.

  • "Our son was uncertain about higher education and high school until I happened to connect with Ellen in a mom’s group. Ellen helped to demystify and untangle the options available to high schoolers looking for a non traditional path forward. Ellen talked us through connecting to a program, college policies, and when/how to self advocate along the way. Thanks to Ellen, our son is getting ready to graduate high school and college with an AAS in the same year!"

    C.D.

  • "As I was receiving my college decision letters, getting directly accepted into the major was essential. I got accepted to my college, but not to the major I applied for, which would automatically cross it off the list. I didn’t know what to do since the college inner workings seemed impossible to navigate. Ellen immediately knew the people who could answer questions and helped me successfully deal with an appeal. This is one of the biggest reasons I am now in the program/major at my school. Ellen has the behind-the-scenes experience to open doors to more possibilities."

    B.T.

  • "My daughter doesn't fit the traditional mold of a student bound for a university. She was about to graduate high school without having applied anywhere and didn’t know what she wanted to do. Ellen interviewed my daughter and immediately helped her come up with an educational path and a potential career goal She’s helped my daughter access resources, make connections, and understand all the possible next steps. She is always available when we have questions and my daughter responds so much better to someone who isn't "mom." We are so thankful to have Ellen as our guide!"

    L.G.

Let’s Plan Together