About Jordan

Jordan Braun is a Smart College Selection Essay & Application Specialist

I have been working with Smart College Selection for six years alongside my role with Chicago Lyric Opera as an Assistant Director and a Stage Manager. In both organizations, I help people tell important stories through song, movement, or the written word. Communicating clearly about central themes, truths, and tensions matters to me. And that’s why I love helping our high schoolers develop applications that reflect who they are and the impact they want to make at the colleges they choose.

I earned an M.S. in Creative Leadership from Northwestern University and a B.F.A. in Theatre Design and Production from the University of Michigan. I have completed the Wow Writing Workshop Partners Program, which focuses on helping professionals hone their skills in guiding students through college essay development. I am also pursuing a college counseling certificate through the University of California - Berkeley. 

My hope when working with Smart students is that they feel good about each story they tell, each application they submit, and each choice they make along the way.

I live in Chicago, Illinois with my cat and an annual rotation of future service dogs that I raise and train for Leader Dogs for the Blind. I frequently spend time in Indianapolis and Detroit to work with students and escape to northern Michigan when time permits. In my free time, I pickle vegetables, make strange crafts, and grill yummy food.