About The UK Study Expert
The UK Study Expert is the only US resource dedicated entirely to UK university admissions. We serve students and families who want to study in the UK, college counselors who advise them, and UK universities looking to connect with a qualified US audience.
Everything we do starts from the same observation: US students who want to study in the UK are navigating a system that was not designed with them in mind. UCAS, personal statements, entry requirements, funding, and visa pathways all work differently from the US system, and the guidance available has historically been built for British applicants, not American ones.
The UK Study Expert is that resource.
What We Are Here to Do
Our goal is to make UK higher education genuinely accessible to US students and families, by giving them the tools, guidance, and community they need to make informed decisions and competitive applications.
For college counselors, that means training and resources that translate the UK system into language that makes sense for American advising practices. For UK universities, that means a direct connection to an engaged US audience that is actively exploring their options.
We are not a general international education resource. We are the resource for US students going to the UK, and that specificity is the point.
The Track Record
600+
students guided to UK universities
40+
UK universities visited and collaborated with directly
2023
Counselor tours running since 2023
UCAS Registered Centre
iACAC Member
Ready to See How We Can Help?
Jackie Christopher
Jackie grew up in Philadelphia, PA. Coming from a lower middle-class family, traveling internationally was not something the family could afford. When she started looking at college options in high school, she knew she wanted something beyond what was right in front of her.
Out-of-state tuition was expensive, and merit scholarships were unlikely given her grades at the time. Then a recruiter at a college fair told her something that changed everything. If she studied in the United Kingdom, she could earn both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just four years, at a cost that was within reach. That was the moment she realized studying internationally could be possible for someone like her.
She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Education and Fine Art at Aberystwyth University in Wales, and at 22 years old, completed her master’s degree in Education, Leadership and Management at the University of Roehampton in London. She got far more than two degrees out of that experience. She gained independence, lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, and a perspective on education and the world that she carries into everything she does today.
Founder and CEO, The UK Study Expert
Degrees from Aberystwyth University and the University of Roehampton
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses alumna
15+ years in international education
The Gap She Decided to Close
The options Jackie found as a student weren’t the problem. The lack of guidance designed for American students was. She had interest, ambition, and a plan, but no resource that understood what US students needed to navigate UK admissions.
That gap is what drove her to found The UK Study Expert. Over the past decade, she has dedicated her career to helping American students find the right educational opportunities, and has seen how much difference the right information and guidance makes.
Today, that same mission shapes everything The UK Study Expert does: tools, training, and support designed for students, college counselors, and UK universities looking to reach a US audience.
Meet the Team Behind The UK Study Expert
Erik serves on the Advisory Board of The UK Study Expert, providing strategic guidance on technology, data-driven growth, customer experience, and business scalability. As Co-Founder and Chief Architect of Firstleaf, he helped develop a highly personalized consumer platform by leveraging technology, analytics, and customer insights to drive engagement and long-term success. At The UK Study Expert, Erik advises on digital innovation, platform development, lead generation strategy, and creating scalable systems that enhance the student and university partner experience.
Erik Steigler
Advisory Board
MJ Roldan supports the planning and execution of marketing initiatives that connect US students, parents, counselors, and universities with opportunities to study in the UK. A Civil Engineering graduate, MJ brings an analytical mindset to marketing and has spent nearly four years freelancing across industries, supporting business owners with their growth and operations before joining The UK Study Expert team.
MJ Roldan
Rowena brings more than 10 years of experience in project and operations management to The UK Study Expert. She oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of initiatives across the team, working closely with team members, university partners, and external vendors to keep projects on track and running smoothly. Rowena finds satisfaction in bringing clarity and structure to complex, busy projects, and values clear communication and teamwork above all. outside of work, she enjoys discovering new tech tools and creating cozy, inspiring workspaces.
Rowena Padilla
Meli serves as Community Manager for The UK Study Expert, leading engagement and support within the UK Study Community and UK Pro Circle. She holds a degree in Electrical Engineering with a specialty in computers, a background that gives her a uniquely analytical approach to managing thriving communities. Based in Texas, Meli helps foster meaningful connections among students, parents, counselors, and university partners by facilitating discussions, sharing resources, and ensuring members have a valuable and supportive experience. When she is not in the community, you will find her on the yoga mat, reading a thriller, or spending time with her two very different fur babies.
Meli De Los Santos
Kim serves as Marketing Strategist for The UK Study Expert, developing and executing marketing strategies that support the company’s growth and visibility. With more than 10 years of experience in marketing for education and coaching businesses, she brings expertise in funnel optimization, campaign management, brand positioning, and audience engagement across students, parents, counselors, and university partners. Based on a small farm in California, Kim spends her time outside of work diving into books and learning new languages.
Kim Hayes
Anna serves as Social Media Marketing Manager for The UK Study Expert, overseeing the company’s social media presence and digital engagement strategy. She creates and manages content across platforms, helping to connect students, parents, counselors, and university partners with valuable information about studying in the UK.