“How you college, is more important than where you college.”

Cogi’s Impact

A man in a professional suit framing his view with hands outstretch and his index fingers and thumb forming a square, representing Cogi's vision for an innovative tool to facilitate affordable and transformational college experiences.

Cogi’s Dream

I believe every student deserves a clear and guided path to college and career success—no matter their background or resources. That’s why my long-term vision is to create a free, non-profit platform that empowers schools, families, and students by:

  • Providing highly engaging learning experiences rooted in modern research and developmental strategies to help parents and students build essential success skills.

  • Equipping parents and school staff with tools to develop college and career readiness skills across grades and schools, culminating in College Ready Certificate and the confidence to succeed.

  • Redefining how schools and families navigate the college search and application process by providing schools with streamlined tools for managing applications while giving families access to strategic, student-centered college search tools.

This vision is bold—but big dreams only happen when people come together.

Every student or parent Cogi helps today brings us one step closer to making this a reality for schools everywhere.

What Clients Say…

  • Stan Dura has been great in his ability to help us. His conversational style and concrete skills and suggestions supported us effectively.

    Becky

  • Stan was a great resource and flexible partner. He is very knowledgeable and helpful.

    Justin

  • Stan Dura brings expertise and practical experience to his clients. He also has the ability to make what he knows relatable. I highly recommend him as a consultant.

    Adam

  • Stan Dura's research on concepts of metacognition have been instrumental in helping students be more successful inside and outside the classroom. He was a true pleasure to work with, and he has been a strong advocate for students.

    Dean

  • Stan Dura has been highly active in the higher education assessment community for quite some time and has become one of my "go-to" colleagues for advice.

    Jodi

  • Stan Dura was instrumental in helping us. He was always willing to provide insights and answer questions. Stan is gracious and patient. We have very much appreciated his expertise and ability to share his experiences.

    Emily

  • My first year was a mess, and I wouldn't have been able to get through it successfully without your help! Thank you SO much!

    Kiesha

A student overwhelmed with the college admissions process desperately seeking help from Cogi, representing Cogi's clients.
Compass star representing Cogi’s guidance in helping students and their families navigate their college journey
A student all alone sitting defeated against a wall, representing a Cogi client who struggled as a first year student and would have been kicked out had it not been for Cogi's support and College Success Plan.

Jessie’s Journey to Her Dream Job

Jessie was determined to become a nurse, but like many students, she only considered well-known universities and didn’t consider that her test scores and grades were well below the average at each. At the same time, underdeveloped writing skills heightened her anxiety and put her applications at risk. With Cogi’s help, Jessie found smarter options, with better ROI and savings of over $30,000 per year, and she learned how to structure and organize her writing.

Expulsion In Sight: How A Success Plan Can Turn the Year Around

Amina arrived on campus eager to socialize, but soon found herself skipping class, facing multiple alcohol violations, and on the verge of expulsion. Dismissive at first, when she realized she was facing expulsion, she reached out for help. With a structured success plan focused on accountability, support systems, and academic engagement, Amina turned things around and ultimately graduated successfully.

Compass star representing Cogi’s guidance in helping students and their families navigate their college journey
Compass star representing Cogi’s guidance in helping students and their families navigate their college journey
A proud and confident nursing student representing a Cogi client who overcame several obstacles with Cogi's guidance.
A student engaging joyfully with peers at college, representing a Cogi Client's surprising experience at school she first did not want to attend.

Case Studies

Below are some examples of our work with students and their families.

When Reality Crushes Your Dream School: Lynn's Story

Lynn had her heart set on a ‘dream school’ worthy of her parents’ Ivy League legacy, along with a few second-choice options. But with an average academic profile and a middle-class budget, her top choices were financially out of reach. Each of them rejected her or offered very little financial aid. She reluctantly applied to the schools recommended by Cogi, and what happened next surprised her.