Sara Bittner
Owner, Head Education Advisor
With Lauren Hensel, founded Launch in 2019. Sara became Head Advisor in July 2023. Advises Launch athletes. Previous experience teaching in a Dutch high school. Additional language: Dutch.
Dakota Zarganis
Education Advisor
Joined the Launch team in 2022. Background in Psychology and Sociology. Experienced traveler, having lived in four countries. Additional language: French (conversational)
Sherryl Sveiven
Essay Specialist
WOW Writing certified to coach students through personal statements, short essays, and scholarship essays. Experience reading essays for a top public US university.
ABOUT LAUNCH
Based in the Netherlands, Launch is an Independent Education Consultant-led advising service, providing expat and international families university search and admission guidance. Founded by Lauren Joyce Hensel and Sara Bittner, Launch helps students reach their potential through educational opportunity while staying true to themselves. Working with Launch reduces stress and friction between teens and their parents as they look towards their next step after high school. Dakota is an Associate Member of the Independent Education Consultants Association and pursuing Professional Membership.
MISSION
Launch is a boutique education guidance company working to inspire and mentor globally-minded students, so they can productively and positively make the world a more equitable, educated, and inclusive society. ​
VALUES
Launch uses five core values in the guidance of teens on their journey to post-secondary education.
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Curiosity, Integrity, Trust, Opportunity, Collaboration
VISION
Launch aims to become a global company, with bases in Europe and North America, and create a more inclusive world through access to domestic and international educational opportunities for all types of students and their families.
STAFF
SARA BITTNER
Co-founder, Head Education Advisor
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DAKOTA ZARGANIS
Education Advisor
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SHERRYL SVEIVEN
Essay Specialist​