About Christy

Christy Statema Mattice is a Smart College Selection Consultant.

Christy started her career in higher education as an admissions counselor for Hope College, recruiting students from Michigan, Indiana, and Minnesota to attend the small liberal arts college in Holland, Michigan. She loved working closely with students during such a pivotal time in their lives. After five years, she became an Associate Director of Admissions at the University of Denver, where she recruited students from California, Michigan, and Indiana.

The perspective gained from reviewing applications at two different institutions honed Christy’s understanding of the admission process and what makes for a strong application. By participating in admission committee reviews, she saw first-hand how the institutional goals of the school, demonstrated interest of the student, and quality of the application intersected to drive admission decisions.

After nine years in college admission, Christy decided she wanted to work more closely with students on a daily basis and became an Academic and College Counselor at Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. At Valor, she assisted students with course selection, wrote college letters of recommendation, and guided students and parents through the admissions process.

Christy joined Smart College Selection after two years at Valor in order to provide an even more robust and personalized support to a focused cohort of students and families.

Christy has also coached volleyball and softball teams, run church youth groups, and mentored countless young people in her life. A coach to the core, Christy quickly builds rapport with students, and her enthusiasm, encouraging spirit, and in-depth understanding of college admission smooths the college selection process for her students. Practiced in reflective listening, Christy loves drawing students out and helping them discover who they are so they can better articulate their gifts and interests to prospective colleges.

Christy is a first-generation college student who can break down the confusing process for those with limited experience as well as for those well versed in college admission process. Christy has a B.S. in Secondary Education from Hope College and a. M.S. from Fuller Graduate School, in Pasadena California. She is a member of the Rocky Mountain Association for College Admissions Counseling Association and a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association.

Christy resides in Denver, Colorado with her husband and revels in the 300 days of sunshine a year adventuring often in the mountains. She can often be found hiking, biking, painting, or reading by a river. She is a native Michigander and ventures regularly to the mitten state.