About Us — East Coast Scholars
Long Island’s premier tutoring company for families who expect elite academic excellence.
Who We Are
East Coast Scholars is Long Island’s premier tutoring and academic coaching company, built on a simple belief: every student can achieve extraordinary outcomes with expert guidance and a proven process.
From our roots here on Long Island, we’ve earned a reputation for academic rigor, personalized instruction, and results that speak for themselves. Families trust us to raise scores—and to build confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love of learning.
Our Story
We founded East Coast Scholars after seeing too many students pushed through one-size-fits-all programs. We set out to build something different—high-touch, data-driven, and relentlessly personal.
- High-touch tutoring where every student’s path is individually designed.
- Expert instructors with deep subject mastery and proven results.
- Elite standards that rival top private schools and national prep firms—right here on Long Island.
Our Mission
We equip students with the skills, strategies, and mindset to excel on the SAT, ACT, AP exams, and in demanding coursework. We cultivate curiosity, resilience, and confidence that last far beyond test day—and help families feel certain they’re giving their student every advantage.
- Raise performance on high-stakes exams with targeted, measurable prep.
- Strengthen foundational skills for long-term academic success.
- Guide families through competitive admissions with clarity and care.
Why Families Choose Us
Expert Instructors
Our teachers are experienced educators with proven track records of helping students succeed.
Targeted Curriculum
Classes are designed to address specific academic needs and test preparation requirements.
Flexible Scheduling
Choose individual sessions that fit your calendar and your student’s specific needs.
Proven Results
Students consistently show improvement in test scores and classroom performance.
Looking Ahead
Whether your student is aiming for the Ivy League, competitive state universities, or specialized programs, East Coast Scholars provides the preparation and support to get them there—pairing elite academic standards with a warm, Long Island-rooted culture of care.
Meet the Team
Gabe Ramos
Managing PartnerExecutive Team
Gabe Ramos brings 15 years of experience as an educator and entrepreneur to East Coast Scholars. A former teacher at Chaminade High School, he helped shape curriculum that serves Chaminade and other Catholic schools on Long Island. As owner of Royal Sporting Group, a youth sports training organization, he blends institutional education experience with entrepreneurial insight to drive marketing strategy and lead new initiatives. Gabe is a 2004 graduate of Chaminade High School and a 2008 graduate of Molloy University (M.Ed.).
Tom Daly
Managing PartnerExecutive Team
Tom Daly brings 12 years of experience as an entrepreneur and investor to East Coast Scholars, where he serves as majority owner. He founded four businesses and exited three, with prior roles in investment banking (Evercore), private equity (Great Point Partners), and as Managing Partner at the Kuttin Family Office on Long Island. Tom leverages both institutional finance and hands-on entrepreneurship to lead East Coast Scholars through rapid growth. He is a 2018 graduate of Chaminade High School and a 2022 graduate of the University of Notre Dame (B.B.A., Finance; Minor in Chinese).
Matt Vowinkel
Director of OperationsOperations Team
Matt Vowinkel brings 20+ years in youth development and sports as a former professional soccer player. His background in discipline, teamwork, and resilience fuels his role supporting clients and leading Chaminade review classes. Matt also serves as a construction project manager overseeing end-to-end delivery, experience he applies to logistics and client experience at East Coast Scholars. He is a 2017 graduate of Chaminade High School and a 2021 graduate of Hofstra University.
Scott Hammer
Director of College AdvisingCollege Advising Team
Scott Hammer holds degrees in literature, education, and business from universities in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. His professional background combines experience teaching at top preparatory schools and serving as an academic advisor. Scott currently demonstrates strategic leadership as an executive at a prominent technology company, where he builds and manages high-performing teams that drive organizational growth.
Shavone Adams
College AdvisorCollege Advising Team
Shavone Adams is an experienced education leader with a strong background in college counseling, student success, and program management. With a Master’s in Education and a proven record of building partnerships, implementing student support initiatives, and driving academic achievement, she is passionate about helping students realize their full potential.
Dr. Kathryn Mederos Syssoyeva
College AdvisorCollege Advising Team
Dr. Kathryn Mederos Syssoyeva is an industry-leading Admissions Counselor and Educator with 20 years of experience guiding students worldwide to top university acceptances, including Stanford, MIT, and UCLA. A Stanford PhD, Fulbright and Mellon Fellow, and published scholar, she empowers students to craft authentic, compelling applications that reflect their strengths, passions, and unique stories.
Lawrence Alexander II
College AdvisorCollege Advising Team
Lawrence Alexander II has more than 20 years of experience in education, with 15 of those years spent as a college counselor and most recently as an admissions officer at Brown University. Alexander prides himself on fostering deep trust and imagination with the students he advises.
Cole Malsky, Ed.D.
College AdvisorCollege Advising Team
Dr. Cole Malsky is a New York State public high school teacher with 12 years in education and prior faculty experience at Chaminade High School teaching AP courses and guiding students on college essays and applications. He combines deep classroom practice with strategic advising to help students find their voice and stand out in admissions. Dr. Malsky holds an advanced degree in Leadership and Administration and earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from St. John’s University.
Bryson Meiling
Director of TechnologyTechnology
Bryson Meiling is a cross-functional engineer with 10 years of software experience, transitioning from mechanical to software engineering. He serves as a full-stack and AI/Cloud Engineer at GE Healthcare and leads East Coast Scholars’ custom website and software strategy, design, and execution. Bryson holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Utah State (2021) and an M.S. from the University of Notre Dame (2022).