Our Mission

Ivory Tower Tutors supports the pursuit of knowledge and academic excellence throughout a student's adult and professional life. Education is the only equalizer and as such our mission is to give all students the opportunity to secure their future through reaching their academic milestones.

Our Core Beliefs

1. Academic excellence and higher education are the keys to providing an immense competitive edge to students as they prepare for their futures in an uncertain job market.

2. Ivory Tower Tutors understands the importance of exceptional academic preparation at all levels.

3. We also strongly believe tutors should have intimate knowledge of a student's educational goals.

4. A tutoring service claiming to be dedicated to the success of their student’s goals has to select tutors that have walked the same path the student is planning to take.

5. It is never too late to take control of your professional success.

Our Actions

All students, regardless of age or previous academic record, have unique scholastic aspirations and requirements that go beyond just achieving the highest score on standardized tests. In a sea of similarity and “me too” business models, we distinguish ourselves by providing our adult, graduate and professional students with the skills they need to be not just good test-takers but successful scholars and future professionals. We take the time to assess each student's needs individually. This includes their short and long-term goals. We can then tailor our tutoring and counseling programs to their specific needs.

The Founder and Advisers

Vanessa Anderson. Vanessa received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Columbia University, her Master's Degree in French Studies from New York University, and she graduated Cum Laude from Yale University. She is an Adjuvant Professor of Psychology at Lehman College. She is also a Policy Research Analyst for the City University of New York where she conducts research with respect to university policies, with particular attention to enrollment, retention and graduation of traditionally underserved students. During her doctoral work, Vanessa was a Teaching Assistant at Columbia University for over five years where she assisted in the day to day operations of undergraduate psychology courses, and designed review materials and course exams. Vanessa also taught French in the Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta Georgia and designed curriculum and individual plans for her students.

John Bazuro. John received his BA in International Studies from Towson University and is a New York State licensed teacher with a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Adelphi University. As an elementary school educator, John has designed lessons which capture his student’s imagination. He has supervised and developed academic learning centers to foster a positive learning atmosphere, and focused on skill and ability based assessment and development. In all of his teaching programs, age appropriate goals are created concentrating on the individual needs of each child. John has travelled and worked extensively throughout the world and has taught English as a Second Language to adults and children in Asia and Africa.

Anastacia Berzat. Anastacia has a Ph.D. in Genetics and Molecular Biology from the University of North Carolina. She has authored several published scientific manuscripts and has trained students in experimental and scientific design. She has assisted in the recruitment of graduate students for the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and the Gerstner Sloan-Kettering Graduate school of Biomedical Sciences. She has been a panelist for discussions on graduate school selection, career advisement and grant writing. She is a volunteer for several organizations including Multiple Sclerosis Society Bike MS Society, Komen for the Cure, Cancer101, and the World Science Festival.

Kamilah Jackson. Kamilah has an M.D from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons and a BS from Yale University in Biology. Kamilah conducted her Adult Psychiatry training at Emory University and is currently the Chief Resident of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Residency Program at Yale University. During her many years in academia, she has mentored and trained several pre-medical and medical students.

Uri Jurist. Uri received her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and her BA from Yale University in Archaeological Studies. She's been admitted to the Bar in Illinois. Uri has been a senior associate in the Banking and Institutional Investing practice area at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and a law clerk to the Honorable Algenon L. Marbley of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

Sommer Miller. Sommer received her Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School and her BA from Yale University in Biology. During her time as a graduate student and postdoctoral research fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, she trained, tutored and mentored several students. She’s published peer-reviewed scientific articles, presented her work at national meetings and congresses and authored funded fellowships. She was an invited judge at the Cornell Medical School Du Vineyard Graduate Student Symposium and an invited speaker at the Cornell, MSKCC, Rockefeller, Tri-Institutional Career Symposium.