Meet Kumba!

Kumba McGill, College Counselor

During her seven years in the field of college admissions, Kumba has read thousands of applications and guided students to admission at many of the country’s most selective colleges. A graduate of The Citadel, one of six senior military colleges in the United States, Kumba served in the admissions office at her alma mater, where she not only evaluated applications, but also recruited students of color through targeted outreach programs. She went on to work as a program manager at the West African-based Save More Kids, where she guided international students toward admission at U.S. colleges and universities. She has also served as an admissions reader at University of Maryland – College Park, where she evaluated applications and made admissions recommendations. This diverse experience evaluating and advising students from different walks of life and countries—all within the space of selective U.S. college admissions—is evidence of her deep knowledge and passion for helping students achieve their educational aspirations. 
 
Kumba’s military background reflects not only her approach to work, but also her impact on students. The Citadel’s “strenuous four-year model” aims to develop principled leaders who know how to set goals, solve problems, and work as a team. As a graduate, Kumba embraces the values of hard work, accountability, and responsibility in every aspect of her life, and she encourages her students to do the same in realizing their educational goals. We’re not saying Kumba yells at students like a drill instructor, or that she makes them do pushups to build college application discipline (we promise she doesn’t). But she does impart a message to her students both early and often—their future is important, and she expects teens to treat their college applications with the same attention and effort she brings to her work with them. As Kumba puts it:
 
I specialize in transforming potential into opportunity, helping students from all backgrounds to not only envision themselves in higher education, but also to thrive there. My ability to connect with students on a personal level and provide tailored support ensures that each student’s unique story is recognized and valued, making their college application stand out. This combination of advocacy, personalized guidance, and commitment to equity is what sets me apart as a college admissions counselor. 
 
When she’s not advising students or parenting her own children, you can find Kumba running many, many miles in pursuit of yet another half-marathon finish. To relax, she enjoys watching classic 80s movies like The Goonies—though we would not be surprised if Kumba also knocks out a few pushups between her favorite scenes.   

Education & Experience

The Citadel, B.A.
University of San Diego, M.A.
Title IX Investigator Certification, Association of Title IX Administrators
Alumni Success Manager, Enrollment Manager, LEARN Academy (4 years)
Program Manager, Save More Kids (6 years)
University Recruiter and Admissions Officer, The Citadel (7 years)