
Fifi Xiaofei Teng, M.Ed. / M.A.









Founder & Chief Educational Planner, Umerica
Certified Educational Planner (CEP), U.S.
Dean of College Counseling, Daohe Academy, Taiwan
Professional Member – IECA / NACAC / IACAC
University of Pennsylvania, M.S. in Education Entrepreneurship, U.S.
SUNY Buffalo M.A in Economics& B.S in Finance, U.S
Fifi Teng is one of fewer than 300 Certified Educational Planners (CEPs) worldwide and among the very few based in Asia, making her a highly sought-after authority in the field of international education. She holds a Master’s in Education Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Financial Economics from SUNY Buffalo, where she graduated with honors. As the first Chinese consultant certified by IECA, she has volunteered on IECA’s Global Committee, led the Shanghai Regional Group as a regional chair, mentored new consultants across Asia, and has spoken at numerous international education conferences. With nearly two decades of experience, she has guided over a thousand students in U.S. college planning, achieving an 80% Early Decision acceptance rate, with offers from top institutions such as Yale, Princeton, MIT, Stanford, and UPenn. She has personally visited close to 200 U.S. universities and nearly 100 schools worldwide, building deep relationships with admissions offices and staying ahead of admissions trends.
Fifi’s professional journey spans New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Taiwan, where she has bridged the worlds of finance, education, and global innovation. After starting her career in investment banking on Wall Street, she transitioned to education and founded Umerica. She is also the founder and program director of an educational venture launched at UPenn, where she designs project-based learning (PBL) programs that empower K–12 students to explore sustainability and environmental awareness through the lens of entrepreneurship. She has collaborated with German musicians, Japanese social entrepreneurs, and international artists to lead cultural exchange initiatives and eco-camps—many of which have been featured in local media. Her work inspires students to think critically, lead responsibly, and grow into globally minded change makers in an increasingly complex world.

Lloyd Paradiso M.A.







Lead Consultant of U.S. Boarding School, Umerica
Certified Educational Planner (CEP), U.S.
Founder & Former President of IECA U.S.
Hamilton College (AB)/Middlebury College (MA), U.S.
Lloyd Paradiso is a nationally recognized leader in educational consulting with over 40 years of experience guiding students to top schools, colleges, and graduate programs around the world.
A founder and past president of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), he also holds the prestigious Certified Educational Planner (CEP) designation—one of the highest credentials in the field.Educated in both public and private schools, Mr. Paradiso is a graduate of Germantown Academy and holds degrees from Hamilton College (AB), Middlebury College (MA), and has completed doctoral coursework at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.
Lloyd’s insight into admissions stems from decades of collaboration with top admissions professionals, including many at the most selective institutions. His cultural fluency and global perspective have earned him partnerships with major organizations such as Exxon, Rockwell, Hercules, and DuPont. He also conducts corporate training seminars on cross-cultural communication and U.S. education.Lloyd is a respected speaker and panelist at national and international education conferences, and a long-standing member of organizations such as NACAC, PACAC, EMA, and NAFSA.Known for his strategic instincts, deep industry knowledge, and unwavering commitment to student success, Lloyd remains a trusted guide for families navigating the path to higher education.

Yusang Shi, M.A.





Educational Consultant Partner, Umerica
Lead Consultant in College &Graduate School Chief Essay Consultant
Associate Member of IECA, U.S.
Columbia University M.A in Art History
University of Southern California (USC) double major in Art History and East Asian Languages & Cultures (graduate with honor)
Yusang Shi holds a master’s degree in Art History from Columbia University, with a focus on 19th-century British art, and graduated with honors from the University of Southern California (USC) with a double major in Art History and East Asian Languages & Cultures.
Fluent in English, Mandarin, and Japanese, Yusang brings exceptional cross-cultural insight and academic rigor to her work. She is an associate member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and currently serves as IECA’s Regional Leader in Shanghai. As a Partner Consultant at Umerica, she leads undergraduate and graduate admissions strategy and serves as Chief Essay Consultant, having supported nearly 100 students and edited over 1,000 application essays.
With a deep command of bilingual writing and storytelling, she is widely recognized for her ability to help students express their authentic voices with clarity and confidence. Yusang is a certified Climate Fresk facilitator and she’s also the co-founder of RegenPlast Academy, an environmental education initiative that empowers students to explore solutions to plastic pollution through creativity, entrepreneurship, and cross-cultural collaboration, where she served as a mentor and lecturer in global environmental programs, including an eco-camp in Japan and a sustainability-themed summer camp led by a German musician and educator. Her love for both art and nature deeply shapes her educational philosophy. Whether visiting museums and theaters or hiking remote trails across East Asia, Yusang draws inspiration from the world’s creative and natural landscapes—offering students not just technical expertise, but a holistic, human-centered approach to growth and discovery.

Robert Wang, M.A./M.S.




Managing Partner | Tech & Career Pathways Advisor, Umerica
Fu Jen Catholic University, Master in Physics, Taiwan
SUNY Buffalo, Master in Economics, U.S.
With dual Master’s degrees in Physics from Taiwan and Economics from the U.S., and over two decades of senior leadership across global tech companies, Robert Wang blends deep technical expertise with a strong passion for education. He has held strategic roles at industry leaders like Fibocom (as Vice President) and Huawei (as a Level 5 Expert—the company’s second-highest rank), where he led several “firsts”: launching Huawei’s first LTE module into global markets with HP and Sony, and building Huawei’s first R&D lab on Google’s campus, driving collaboration on Wear OS, Google TV, and the Nexus phone line.
Robert’s career has spanned Silicon Valley, Tokyo, Berlin, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Taipei, where he played a pivotal role in cutting-edge innovation across AI, IoT, mobile devices, and next-gen connectivity. His real-world experience in global product planning and R&D makes him a rare bridge between future-facing technologies and meaningful educational practice.
In addition to his tech achievements, Robert served as a university lecturer in physics at Hsuan Chuang University, known for his ability to turn complex scientific ideas into engaging, applicable learning experiences that empower students to think critically and creatively.
Now a father of twin boys, Robert chose to redefine success by stepping away from corporate life to focus on raising and educating the next generation. He personally designs and teaches STEM courses, science projects, and math programs at home, applying the same strategic insight and care he once gave to global innovation.
Today, Robert channels this commitment into helping more families. He works closely with students who are passionate about technology, AI, engineering, and the sciences, guiding them to explore these fields with structure, depth, and purpose. His mission: to help students turn their technical interests into powerful stories—and into a real competitive edge for college and beyond.

Dr. Kuo-Feng Tseng, Ph.D.




Director of STEM Research & Academic/Test Prep, Umerica
STEM Research Mentor|Global STEM Competition Advisor
Ph.D. in Natural Sciences, Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Germany
National Sun Yat-sen University, Master in Physics/National Chung Hsing University B.A, Taiwan
Dr. Kuo-Feng Tseng is a physicist and STEM education expert with a strong background in experimental condensed matter physics and international academic collaboration. He earned his Ph.D. in Natural Sciences from the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in Germany, where he developed advanced neutron scattering instrumentation to investigate the quantum properties of emerging materials under extreme conditions such as ultra-low temperatures, high pressure, and strong magnetic fields. He holds a Master’s degree in Physics from National Sun Yat-sen University and a Bachelor’s degree from National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan. His research work has been published in multiple SCI-indexed journals, and he has collaborated with institutions such as UC Berkeley, Rice University, NIST, ILL, PSI, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Since 2018, Dr. Tseng has led the development of scientific instruments used in interdisciplinary applications across physics, chemistry, environmental science, and biomedicine. In parallel, he has been deeply involved in K–12 international STEM education, mentoring students in academic research, university-level projects, and global science competitions. Through partnerships with university labs and research institutions, he helps students engage in authentic scientific inquiry, resulting in notable academic achievements and admissions to prestigious programs, including Harvard (Computer Science), Cambridge (Physics), LMU Munich (Chemistry), and University of Hong Kong (Engineering). Dr. Tseng is committed to bridging advanced science with education, empowering students to develop research skills, academic rigor, and global scientific vision.

Ginger Jiang, B.S.

Senior Process Consultant
U.S. College & Graduate Admissions Application Planner|Student Development Mentor
Ginger Jiang is a senior consultant with over 17 years of experience in English education and U.S. college advising. She holds a B.A. in English Language and Literature from Heilongjiang University and is certified at the TEM-8 level, the highest English proficiency certification in China.
From 2006 to 2012, Ginger taught English in Asian mainstream education system, where she developed a reputation for being patient, empathetic, and highly effective. Her deep understanding of Chinese high school curriculum allows her to bridge the gap between domestic academics and U.S. admissions expectations.
Since joining the Umerica team in 2013, Ginger has led over 300 students and families through the complex admissions process for both undergraduate and graduate programs. She is especially known for her ability to guide students through long-term academic planning, activity development, and strategic college selection. Her students have been admitted to top-tier universities including Columbia, Duke, Northwestern, Cornell, Brown, USC, Rice, Carnegie Mellon, and Johns Hopkins, with nearly all matriculating to Top 50 institutions.
Ginger is also highly experienced in international student application platforms and post-admissions visa support. With a strong record of outcomes and years of hands-on advising experience, she provides both structure and compassion—helping students discover their path and become confident, purposeful applicants.
As a parent and educator, she believes that raising a child is one of the best ways to keep learning.
“When I work with students, I’m not just advising them—I’m walking alongside them. Because I’m also on this journey as a parent, I understand the emotions, the pressure, and the dreams behind every application.”




