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 floundered, directionless, through core classes at my junior college. Then, my father suddenly died at 51. I didn’t know who to ask for support, so I dropped out—for six years.

This wasn’t what I pictured in high school. I dreamt about a career in journalism, but my family had no college plan, financially or otherwise. My parents’ divorced when I was 15, so I actually left high school early, finishing through correspondence courses. A secretary handed me my diploma.

After my abrupt exit from college, I landed work through a skill my mother taught me when I was young: typing. She was a home-trained secretary back in the day and told me, “If you know how to type, you’ll always have work.”

She was right. I was hired to type medical notes for a doctor’s office. That turned into a career in medical transcription, and even starting my own business. I bought a small house by the time I was 24.

Was this success? I suppose from the outside, yes. However, working alone in my home (not common back then!) felt isolating. Financially, I was stuck. I needed the income that transcription afforded me; changing careers would require going back to school. And, to do what?

Then, a turning point: I was hired to teach continuing ed courses on transcription, which later turned into teaching credit courses. That was it. I loved teaching! I could be a college professor! Well, not so fast: Teaching college full-time requires an advanced degree. I had no degree … and a disastrous transcript.

So, at 26, I worked full-time, earned my Associate’s, then a Bachelor’s, and finally a Master’s in Communication Studies. Right after grad school, I landed a tenure-track professorship.

I’ve felt completely lost while facing many life setbacks. I told myself back then that if I made it into a teaching career, I’d be the support that I needed so long ago. Many services exist for traditional university admissions, SAT prep, etc. That’s one path of many. Whatever stage you’re in, or however you are feeling, together, we can your pave your way to education and a career.

Qualifications

I am tenured faculty and an advisor in the Communication Studies Department at Highline College since 2004. Prior, 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 have training in mental health first aid and trauma-informed teaching. 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). My advice on college success has appeared in USA Today, the Washington Post, and U.S. News & World Report. 

I currently teach public speaking, interpersonal communication, organizational behavior, employability skills, and leadership development.

Outside of teaching, I build courses in myriad subjects for universities across the country as an instructional designer (ID). Early in my career, I was an ID on a Gates Foundation grant for two years. I’ve seen a lot of curriculum outside of my field.

I’ve done corporate training for companies i.e., Merck Pharmaceuticals, M&M/Mars, Cooper Tire, AquaQuip, and the College Success Foundation. 

I have an M.A. in Communication Studies and a B.S. in Post-Secondary Education/Workforce Development, both from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I am proud to have a hard-earned A.A. 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