Meet the Office
Andrew Kelsey: 
"I always tell students to look for a major, a college, or a career that matches their interests and personality. I try to get them to look for schools and jobs that will be good for them in terms of quality of life and providing challenge. School and work shouldn't be all about comfort; they should push you to grow, to think about things in a new way; they should make you become more than what you were when you started. When I look at my own experience as a college counselor, I realize that I found what I'm encouraging each of them to look for in life."
Known affectionately as "Kelsey" by our students, Andrew Kelsey is in his thirteenth year as Director of College Counseling. A knowledgeable and passionate student advocate, Mr. Kelsey has been both a state and national leader in the field of college counseling and shaped much of HPA's outstanding college counseling program.
Mr. Kelsey received his B.A. degree in English from Vanderbilt University, his M.A. degree in English from the University of Mississippi, and completed graduate work in Asian Studies and Economic Politics at the University of Hawai'i--Manoa. As Director of College Counseling, he has shown continued commitment to maintaining strong relationships with admissions professionals throughout the U.S. He is a Past President for the Hawaii Association for College Admissions Counseling. Mr. Kelsey has completed advanced college counseling programs at Harvard University, UC--San Diego, Santa Clara University, and Lewis and Clark College. Our students value Mr. Kelsey for his expertise, kindness, sense of humor, and beautiful singing voice.
akelsey@hpa.edu or 808-881-4055.
Joanie Brotman:
"I love spending my days with students. This is such an exciting time for them. I find it to be so much fun encouraging them to think about their futures and helping them during this pivotal time in their lives."
Ms. Brotman is known by many of our students as "Aunty Joanie." She serves as the college counselor for approximately half of the HPA senior and junior classes. Ms. Brotman graduated from the University of Hawaii—Manoa with a B.A. degree in Fine Arts. Both of Aunty Joanie's daughters, Ali Ann and Julia, attended HPA from Kindergarten thorough senior year and went through the HPA College Counseling program with their mom and Mr. Kelsey. As an HPA mom, Ms. Brotman is close to many students and very easy for both students and parents to talk to in all situations.
Outgoing, positive, and professional, Ms. Brotman worked in College Counseling for four years as our office manager before transitioning to college counseling in 2008. She is a member of both the Hawai`i Association of College Counseling and the National Association of College Counseling. For the last two summers, Ms. Brotman has worked as a volunteer College Counselor for the non-profit organization, College Horizons. College Horizons assists Native Hawaiian and Native American students in reaching their college goals. Ms. Brotman is currently in the process of finishing her practicum to receive her Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA.
jbrotman@hpa.edu or 808-881-4062
Janet Melton:
"I am honored to be a part of the Upper Campus community and I am looking forward to meeting students and their families in the College Counseling Office. It is my hope to provide an environment where students can come in and explore all the different resources that are available regarding the college selection process. Looking ahead, I am enthusiastic about guiding students through such an exciting time in their lives and I encourage all students, whether they are seniors or freshmen, to stop in to get to know each other."
Ms. Melton is in her first year as the office manager for HPA's College Counseling Center. She was born and raised in Southwestern Virginia and graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Biology. She moved with my husband (a native of Oahu) and children to the Big Island in July of 2004. Ms. Melton currently has three children enrolled at HPA in grades K, 4th, and 7th. For the past few years, she have been a very active parent volunteer with the Student Council at the Lower School where she enjoyed developing close relationships with students and HPA staff and faculty.
Ms. Melton is always the first contact person for freshmen and sophomore parents. She also handles any general questions about College Counseling, standardized testing, calendars, scheduling appointments, special programs, SAT Prep, and Family Connection.
jmelton@hpa.edu or 808-881-4295
