Karen Lane DeRosa
Owner and College Planner
Karen Lane DeRosa brings proven experience in instruction, communications, and administration to the students and families of Class 101. Karen earned her Bachelor of Science degree, summa cum laude, in communications from Boston University and her Master of Arts degree in communication from the University of Oklahoma. Karen has been an instructor at various colleges including the University of Oklahoma, Miami University, and Sinclair Community College. With a genuine interest in each student’s unique goals, Karen’s passion for teaching and learning translates to every college planning meeting. She also ran a successful communications consulting business, and she enjoys putting her creativity to work for her students. As a parent to four young adults, Karen is intentional in tailoring the Class 101 experience so that each student can own the college planning and application process. Karen is a Professional Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association. With Class 101 Dayton, she also holds consultant membership with the Ohio Association of College Admission Counseling and corporate membership with the National Association of College Admission Counseling.
Tony DeRosa
Owner and College Planner
With a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston University, cum laude, Tony started his career with the United States Navy as an ROTC Midshipman. After serving as a Naval Flight Officer, his last active duty assignment was as the military history instructor and sailing coach for the Navy ROTC unit at Miami University where he also achieved a Master of Arts degree. Following his Navy career, he worked in software sales and sales management for 20 years. Tony’s mission today is to provide families with expert guidance in the college search, admissions, and financial aid process. He specializes in the admissions process for students who are interested in military service, ROTC, and the service academies. Tony is an Associate Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association. With Class 101 Dayton, he also holds corporate membership with the National Association of College Admission Counseling.
Heather Klasing
College Planner
Heather Klasing earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration, cum laude, from Miami University and a Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from the University of Dayton. She began her career as the Chief Law Clerk for the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas before joining a Dayton law firm. Beginning in 2004, she worked as a contractor for a Cincinnati law firm providing litigation support in class-action product liability matters. Heather joined the Class 101 Dayton OH South team in 2019. She helps students with the essay writing process for applications and scholarships, and she meets individually with students for test prep and college planning as well.Samantha Conte
College Planner
Samantha Conte holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance, magna cum laude, from Ball State University. Since graduating in 2017, Samantha has worked in the dance industry as a professional dancer, first with Mutual Dance Theatre (Formerly Mamluft&Co. Dance), and now Hixon Dance. In addition to performing, she teaches dance at many local studios. Samantha brings her unique experience as a performing arts major to Class 101, and she shares her knowledge of the college search and audition process with students who are interested in the performing arts. She also specializes in our scholarship searches for seniors. Samantha joined the Class 101 Dayton team in 2020, and she is excited to continue exploring her love of teaching in a new way.
Josee Coyle
College Planner
Josee, a Springboro High School graduate, graduated in 2020 from the University of Pittsburgh. At Pitt, Josee earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Since college, Josee has explored her passions in different ways, including as an electrician for Cleveland Play House and a Peer Support Specialist at UPMC Resolve in Pittsburgh. Josee also has the entrepreneurial bug and hopes to start her own business someday. For now, she's thrilled to be a part of the Class 101 team as she continues supporting theatre arts through her freelance lighting design work. She loves seeing students improve their scores, define their dreams, and plan for college!
Melissa Longfield
College Planner
Melissa Longfield holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, magna cum laude, and a Master of Education in Pupil Personnel Services, both from Wright State University. She has fifteen years of experience working with students Pre-K through 12 in a traditional school setting, ten of which were spent at the high school level providing guidance counseling and academic support. Melissa joined the Class 101 Dayton team in 2024 and is looking forward to working with students as they realize their full potential, discern their future plans, and transition from high school to college.Bev Oesterlin
Office Manager
With a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Dayton, Bev started her career as a computer programmer at Reynolds and Reynolds. After starting a family, she pursued her dream of becoming a classroom teacher by accepting several long-term substitute teacher positions before stepping into her own classroom at Bishop Fenwick High School where she spent seven years teaching Senior Theology. Bev also has a passion for the arts, specifically marching band and colorguard. She has coordinated the colorguard program at Springboro High School for more than ten years. At Class 101, Bev supports all of our college planners as we help our students reach their goals.
Owners
Karen Lane DeRosa
Tony DeRosa
Phone
(937) 705-5113
Address
36 South Richards Run, Springboro, OH 45066
Thank you so much for everything you have done. This is truly some of the best money I have ever spent. Having only one child, we were completely lost and your guidance through this process has been invaluable. Also, not only the improvement in test scores giving us an extra 20,000 in scholarships over the next four years but also letting me enjoy being a parent during the very limited time I have at home instead of being a constant nag was a complete game changer this year.
Drew
Class of 2024
We keep reflecting back to our first meeting with Class 101 and how you immediately connected with Sam. All the meetings, essay writing, tours, and mostly your/Class 101 support made all the difference in making his dream come true! Thank you!
Sam
Class of 2023
Class 101 has been beyond helpful in making the college application and transition process organized and as stress-free as possible! They have introduced me to so many scholarship opportunities of which I have taken full advantage, and have been a guide and resource even beyond college acceptances!
Macy
Class of 2021
The great people at Class 101 have given me the opportunity to have one-to-one college planning and ACT prep, helping me prepare for my future. The work they do to help me prepare for what’s truly ahead of me is incredible and is truly personalized to me and to what I am interested in, which makes the whole college planning experience fun and interesting.
Thomas
Class of 2022
Starting at Class 101 was the best decision I have ever made. I started as a senior and was very lost on my college search. Class 101 helped me get into every college I applied to and kept me on the right track the entire time.
Jack
Class of 2021
Class 101 has truly prepared me for the next chapter in my life. Whether I was studying for the ACT, applying for scholarships, or finalizing my college decision, I felt like I was putting myself at a greater advantage to attack my future.
Jimmy
Class of 2021
With the help of Class 101, I was able to raise my ACT score six points. I followed their advice and visited 10 colleges and found the perfect college for me! They spent many hours helping with essays and scholarships, and I’m so grateful! Thank you Class 101 for being such a huge supporter!
Isabella
Class of 2021
From my very first meeting with my college planners, they believed in me as I looked at schools all over the country. They became like another family to me. Class 101 was always a place I could go to do my work–applications, essays, research. I honestly don’t think I could have gotten it all done without them!
Mauricio
Class of 2020
Before Class 101, I went into ACT prep not knowing what to do and started with a score of 27. My college planner, Karen, helped me learn how to take the test. I had a goal of 30, but achieved a 32, which helped me receive several scholarships
Zoe
Class of 2020
I was accepted into the DAAP program majoring in fashion design at the University of Cincinnati. I started working with Karen and Tony in my junior year and could not have asked for two better people to help me with my college choices, ACT help, scholarships, and more! Being a first generation college student in my family, I was lost on where to even start, but Class 101 helped me achieve the dreams I wanted to accomplish.
Ella
Class of 2021
