A decade of excellence in delivering customized group college tours.
Explore Colleges was founded in 2005 to support educators and program directors in inspiring middle and high school students to pursue higher educations through the transformative experience of visiting college campuses.
Kathie Boozer, Founder, and Executive Director
Kathie Boozer is the founder of Explore Colleges, a nationwide college campus touring company that provides middle and high school students with valuable exposure and insight into the educational environments and cultures of colleges and universities. Working closely with school counselors and college admissions officers, Kathie designs the customized group college tours to motivate young or struggling students and to help older students determine which schools are best for them. Founding Explore Colleges brought together Kathie’s passion for educating and inspiring children and her 20+ years of experience in the travel and tourism industry; managing hundreds of employees and multi-million dollar budgets. She received her B.A. from the University of Delaware and currently resides in Maryland with her three children – two of whom are in college and one who is still in high school.
Lisa Shafer, Tour & Travel Sales Director
Lisa brings over 25 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry to Explore Colleges, including 13 years with Walt Disney World’s ESPN Zone in Baltimore implementing sales and marketing strategies to serve student and youth groups, educational institutions, etc.. With her Disney customer service approach, Lisa sets the service bar high with Explore Colleges and her attention to every detail of the customer service experience. Providing a quality college tour and exceeding the expectations of group leaders, parents and students is her mission when creating the ultimate college tour that is memorable and fun. Lisa has a BA in Advertising/Public Relations from University of Central Florida and resides with her husband and two children in Baltimore, MD.
Joanne McShalley, Guide
Joanne is the mother of two who toured colleges extensively with her own children. The lessons she learned about getting the most out of each visit to inspire students — while making the experience effortless and enjoyable for adults — are what she enjoys sharing with tour groups today.
Courtney Ewell, Guide
Courtney is a former customer service manager who now applies her expertise at anticipating clients’ needs and resolving challenges to leading college tours. As a high school senior, she recalls feeling overwhelmed and anxious during her own college-search years, so her passion is helping kids feel comfortable and confident while touring campuses.
Kellie Boyle, Communications Director
Kellie is a 30-year public affairs and marketing communications veteran whose former clients included College Parents of America, for whom she produced and curated voluminous amounts of online resources to support parents and their children in the years leading up to and through college. Other clients have included Tobacco-Free Kids, Children’s Medical Safety Research Institute, several education technology companies, and a wide variety of other private and public sector entities.
