About Us
Hello. My name is Julieta, and I am the founder and CEO of Kailuna Education Initiative. My academic journey has taken me across Europe and North America, where I have studied English Language and Literature, Law, Education, Management, and Artificial Intelligence. I have had the privilege of participating in programs at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, including MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Columbia, the London School of Economics, NYU School of Law, the University of Toronto, Rutgers University, and the University of Tetovo.
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I believe deeply in the transformative power of education to break the cycle of poverty. Research consistently shows that higher education is one of the most effective tools for economic mobility. For example, in 2023, only about 4% of people with a bachelor’s degree or higher in the United States lived below the poverty line. As a 2024 study published in Nature notes, “the popularisation of higher education is regarded as an essential factor contributing to poverty alleviation,” with data from 38 countries showing that a greater share of adults with tertiary degrees directly correlates with both GDP growth and reductions in poverty rates. UNESCO’s own reports emphasize that higher education is crucial for developing the skills, knowledge, and innovation needed for sustainable development and improved employment prospects-key pathways out of poverty.
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Yet, despite these clear benefits, access to higher education remains deeply unequal. As highlighted by Turetsky et al. (2021), teachers and counselors can actively contribute to educational inequality through their biases. These biases are not merely unconscious or accidental; they are reinforced by institutional practices and can result in lower expectations, fewer opportunities, and less support for students who most need advocacy. This reality makes the journey to higher education more challenging even for talented students from underrepresented groups.
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As educator Rita Pierson famously said, “Every child”-and I would add, every student-“deserves a champion, someone who will never give up on them and who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.” At Kailuna, we strive to be that champion for every student who seeks our support.
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Kailuna was founded to address a critical gap: many high school and two-year college students, especially those from low-income and marginalized communities, face significant challenges when transferring to four-year institutions. Overburdened school counselors and educators often cannot provide the personalized guidance each student needs. This leaves many talented students without access to the support necessary for a successful transfer to their preferred school.
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Our Mission
Our mission is to help every student find the most suitable four-year institution for their chosen major-while ensuring it is affordable for them and their families. We believe financial barriers should never stand in the way of educational achievement. That is why all our services are offered pro bono to those who qualify.​
At Kailuna, we are committed to being a steadfast source of support, empowering students to navigate the transfer process with confidence and access the educational opportunities that will shape their futures and help break the cycle of poverty for themselves and their families.
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Sources:
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Services:
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Personalized guidance on selecting and applying to four-year colleges and universities
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Assistance in identifying institutions with strong programs in students’ intended majors and the best financial aid packages
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Support with application essays, personal statements, and transfer documentation
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Help building competitive resumes and extracurricular profiles
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Group ESL (English as a Second Language) classes
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Dedicated focus on students from marginalized communities, including those facing socioeconomic hardships, minorities, veterans and their families, LGBTQ+ students, refugees, and asylum seekers, etc.
Email: j.j@kailunaedu.com
Phone: 646 209 7849
Our Story in Brief
Kailuna Education Initiative, founded by Julieta, is committed to supporting marginalized high school students in their journey towards higher education. We offer personalized guidance on college selection, financial aid, essay writing, resume building, and ESL classes. Our mission is to empower students to navigate the transfer process with confidence, opening doors to new educational opportunities.
Our consultancy is driven by the belief that education is a powerful tool for social empowerment.
Through our tailored services, we aim to bridge the gap for students from marginalized communities, ensuring they have equal access to educational resources and opportunities.
Join us in our commitment to creating a more inclusive and accessible educational environment.
Testimonials
Laurent Aleksander
Hello, my name is Laurent Aleksander. I am a high school junior passionate about computer science and artificial intelligence, with plans to pursue a law degree after completing my bachelor’s. I am incredibly grateful for the personalized guidance I have received from the founder of Kailuna Education Initiative.
Thanks to the sponsorship and tutoring from Kailuna, I became the only student from my district to participate at the NJ high school STEM fair, presenting a project on artificial intelligence. I also was able to attend free and specialized trainings at NYU School of Law, earning formal credit and gaining valuable early exposure to the legal field.
Thanks to Kailuna mentorship, I achieved outstanding SAT scores and was advised to give back by volunteering as a peer tutor for students preparing for the SATs through a national NGO.
Currently, I am collaborating on a research paper examining mathematical models used to predict recidivism in the U.S. judicial system-a project that perfectly combines my interests in technology and law.
Kailuna's ongoing support continues to equip me with the tools and confidence I need to pursue my ambitions and unlock my full potential.
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Chennell
Hello, my name is Chenell, and I am a nursing major graduating from a two-year college in May 2025.
As a first-generation college student and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, my journey has been anything but easy. I have faced personal loss and significant setbacks, including being dropped from my nursing program. Support for students like me is often inconsistent on campus, making these challenges even harder to navigate. However, thanks to the profound commitment and advocacy of Kailuna’s founder and CEO, Julieta, I was able to navigate the administrative process, regain my confidence, and successfully return to the program. Now, I am proudly on track to graduate college in May 2025.
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I first met Julieta through the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Her leadership, integrity, dedication, and altruistic nature were immediately apparent-she consistently championed projects such as art therapy using Critical Race Theory, in support of marginalized students, often going against the grain of campus culture.
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Currently, as I work through the ongoing process of transferring to a four-year institution, Julieta continues to support me through her Kailuna initiative. She provides professional guidance on every aspect of my application to a bachelor’s program in nursing. But her support goes far beyond academics; Julieta continues to check in on my well-being, making sure I never feel alone during my most difficult moments.
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Having Julieta in my corner-as both an advocate and a friend, gives me renewed hope and determination. With her ongoing encouragement, I am confident that I can achieve my academic and professional goals of transferring to a 4-year degree in nursing.