Joan Thomas

Joan Thomas founded College Mapping in 2009 to help high school students prioritize, plan, and execute effective college application strategies. Based in Pleasanton, California, she brings 17 years of dedicated college counseling experience to her independent practice. Joan works individually with students to develop clear timelines, targeted college lists, and organized application processes that maximize opportunities.

Prior to launching College Mapping, Joan taught at Amador Valley High School through Tri Valley ROP from 2003-2009. Her classroom experience gives her practical insight into high school academic demands and student needs. Before education, she spent 16 years in sales and marketing at Hewlett-Packard, developing strong organizational, planning, and communication skills that enhance her counseling approach.

Joan holds a Certificate of College & Career Planning from UC Berkeley, complementing her MBA in Marketing from Golden Gate University and BS in Business and Information Systems from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Her corporate and educational background uniquely equips her to guide students through strategic admissions planning with business-like precision.