Sultanya Hamid

Biography

While studying Spanish at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, I fell in love with Latin American realist fiction. These narratives encourage students to think critically while remaining engaging through creative storytelling. That experience continues to shape my work with students today. As a college counselor, I support students in transforming their lived experiences into compelling and distinctive college essays. As a Spanish tutor, I find that literature can also be a powerful tool for second-language learning, allowing students to engage creatively with stories and everyday experiences that resonate with their own lives.

My experience working with students as both a college counselor and Spanish tutor has taught me the importance of building trusting relationships, particularly as students navigate vulnerable moments of self-reflection and learn to articulate their experiences. To strengthen my practice as an educator, I pursued graduate coursework in curriculum design and implementation at the University of Pennsylvania. I enjoy getting to know each student as an individual, learning about their personality, interests, goals, and preferred ways of working.

In my counseling sessions, I begin with engaging, hands-on workshops that familiarize students with the steps ahead and give them an opportunity to see how successful applicants have highlighted their strengths. From there, working one-on-one allows me to tailor each session to the student’s goals and individual needs, making the process more productive and meaningful. As our work progresses, I also help students develop executive-functioning skills such as organization, time management, and task initiation. These skills can strengthen their academic work while preparing them to manage the demands of college-level coursework.

Above all, I want students to feel supported and confident in their ability to communicate who they are and what they have accomplished. Whether we are working on an essay, developing Spanish skills, or building stronger academic habits, my goal is to give students practical tools they can carry with them beyond our sessions.

As a newcomer to San Francisco, I enjoy exploring the diverse landscapes the city has to offer when I’m not at the office. I also enjoy writing, watching films, and eating good food. As a New Haven native, I have the pleasure of being from the pizza capital of the country!