Dr. Hulya Odabas

Dr. Hulya Odabas joined Study Smart Tutors in 2019 as the Director of Education. Over the years, she has held pivotal roles, including Senior Director and Vice President of Education, and now serves as the Chief Strategy Officer. With a background as a high school science teacher and school counselor, she brings a wealth of experience to her leadership roles.

Dr. Odabas holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, a Master’s degree in School Counseling with a PPS credential, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Concordia University Irvine. Her doctoral research focused on the retention and sense of belonging of first-generation STEM students, a topic that resonates deeply with her own experience as a bilingual, first-generation student.

In recognition of her exceptional work with first-generation students, Dr. Odabas was named College Counselor of the Year by the County of Orange in 2017. The College Board also recognized her contributions through its Counselor Recognition Program in 2019.

Dr. Odabas actively volunteers at her children’s school and within her community. She is a frequent speaker at national and local conferences, advocating for educational equity, college readiness, and fostering a sense of belonging for students through an asset-based approach.