Mia Vancil Tabayoyong is a Graduate Coach with InGenius Prep with over a decade of experience in education. She began her professional journey as a Special Education teacher at Westmont Elementary, where she provided instruction and behavioral support to students with Emotional Disturbance, collaborating with IEP teams to adapt curriculum and assess academic progress. Her work in K–12 education developed her skills in differentiated instruction, effective communication, and supporting students with a wide range of learning needs. She also worked as a Treatment Analyst at Autism Partnership, providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment to individuals with Autism.
As a multiethnic educator—Japanese and Mexican—Mia draws deeply from her own lived experience to build meaningful connections with students from diverse backgrounds. Her identity has shaped her understanding of intersectionality, cultural nuance, and the importance of representation, allowing her to serve as a strong advocate and mentor for students navigating complex and inaccessible systems.
After some time in the classroom, Mia transitioned into higher education as an Adjunct Counselor within the California Community College system, at Irvine Valley College and Long Beach City College. In this role, she guided a diverse student population through academic planning, career exploration, and the university transfer process. She has helped countless students clarify their goals, articulate their strengths, and gain admission to competitive undergraduate and graduate programs. She also provided Transfer Bootcamp workshops to students interested in transferring to 4-year public and private institutions.
As a Graduate Coach Mia is passionate about empowering students to approach the application process with confidence, clarity, and authenticity. She brings empathy, structure, and expert insight to every coaching relationship, helping students not only reach their academic goals but also take pride in their growth along the way. Her holistic and inclusive approach ensures that every student feels seen, supported, and equipped to succeed.