Hi, I’m Diane Overman, founder of Overman College Consulting (OCC) in Houston, Texas, which I started in 2009.
Let me first state that I love what I do. It is an honor and privilege to work with teens and guide them through the college admissions process…it gives me great joy to see how they mature and become more self-aware and confident.
How I got to this point is indirect. When I attended Purdue University, my initial goal was to become a rich and famous veterinarian. I learned the now popular and overused word PIVOT during my sophomore year while taking Organic Chemistry, which led me to the Career Counseling office and a change of major to Management (and I still graduated in 4 years!) My early career was in banking operations and asset management, during which time I also received my graduate degree from University of Houston-Clear Lake. I had stints as a college instructor, Market Day area rep, and sorority alumnae regional advisor. My favorite role was and still is as mother to our daughter and son. More titles bestowed on me included Girl Scout leader, Book Fair chair, Gala chair, PTA President, Cub Scout Den Mom, Fashion Show chair, and the list goes on. What I realized is that I enjoy helping others, planning and organizing events, and celebrating shared success.
When it came time to think about college with my own kids, there was much anxiety and pressure and few good resources. I needed to know as much as I could to help them so I set about reading everything I could on the subject. Knowledge is power, and I learned about the role of an independent educational consultant. Boom. It hit me. That was what I was meant to do: bring the right mix of communicator, problem-solver, educator, counselor, listener, and life-long learner to help teens through this exciting yet often stressful and confusing time in their lives. I received my Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA, completed my practicum at a local high school, attended IECA’s Summer Institute, and became Strong Interest certified. OCC was born. And that’s how it happened. (FYI, my kids both had happy and successful four-year collegiate experiences!)
As an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC), I read about college admissions daily including posts from my five professional associations. I am a former Board member and Treasurer of HECA (Higher Education Consultants Association.) I attend frequent educational webinars and Zoom meetings as well as counselor updates and annual member conferences, both in person and virtually, and visit and tour colleges across the country (over 150 in the last 12 years.) These events provide me with information that I can share with my students and their families while I continue to expand my knowledge base and network in college admissions. I am active on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
