Lisa Rau, BetterGrads’ Corporate Secretary and Editor of the College 101 Blog, is a writer, pianist and speech & debate coach based out of Los Angeles. Having volunteered for many youth-centered organizations, including Parker-Anderson Learning Centers, the YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club of America, Lisa brings a blend of educational blogging, college networking and a rhetorical edge to BetterGrads. She recently has contributed to other organizations that use a college-tinted lens to mentor students, such as nuResume and Yollege, Inc.

Concurrently, Lisa is an Annenberg Fellow and graduate student in broadcast journalism at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Prior to joining BetterGrads, Lisa graduated from San Francisco State University as a “hood recipient” (valedictorian) with bachelor’s degrees in Creative Writing and Communication Studies while working as a writer for SF State News. An alumna of SF State’s nationally-recognized speech & debate team, Lisa was named to the American Forensics Association’s All-American Team and was awarded Platform Speaker of the Year two years in a row (2006–8) by the Northern California Forensics Association.

With her experience rooted in editorial endeavors, public speaking and mentoring youth, Lisa’s goals are focused on improving the well-roundedness of students everywhere. Because, as she puts it, you can only be so much of a square.