Darlenia Kokoszka brings more than 20 years of experience in education, student development, and helping students reach their full potential. Her career in education began at New York University, where she worked as a college counselor with adult students pursuing educational and career goals. After starting her family, Darlenia transitioned into teaching, spending five years in the New Haven Public Schools in Connecticut before entering the boarding school world. She went on to spend the next 15 years working closely with students, families, and school communities.
Darlenia’s boarding school experience includes The Kiski School in Pennsylvania, Indian Mountain School in Connecticut, and Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts. Throughout her career, she has served as a teacher, coach, advisor, mentor, and dorm parent. She has also coached soccer, tennis, squash, and basketball, giving her firsthand insight into the many factors that shape a student’s boarding school experience—from academics and athletics to relationships, independence, personal growth, and community.
Darlenia holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Spanish from St. Lawrence University and a master’s degree in Education Leadership from Mount Holyoke College.
Bringing Firsthand Experience to GESP
At GESP Education & Sports Partners, Darlenia draws on more than 15 years of firsthand boarding school experience to guide students and families through the process of identifying and applying to schools where they can thrive.
She understands that choosing a boarding school is about much more than identifying a highly regarded institution. While schools may offer similar programs or follow similar application processes, each has its own culture, academic environment, athletic opportunities, values, expectations, and sense of community.
Finding the right fit means understanding the individual student—their strengths, goals, personality, interests, and potential—while also considering the priorities and expectations of the family.
Having spent 15 years working inside boarding school communities, Darlenia brings a perspective that extends well beyond the application process. She understands what daily life is really like for students once they arrive, what helps them successfully become part of a school community, and how the right environment can support their academic, athletic, social, and personal growth.
Her goal is not simply to help a student gain admission to a boarding school, but to help each family identify an environment where the student can truly belong, grow, and succeed.
Leading GESP’s Growth and Visibility
As Director of Marketing & Student Relations, Darlenia also helps lead GESP’s growth, visibility, and connection with the students and families it serves. She focuses on strengthening the GESP brand, communicating the organization’s expertise and services, reaching prospective families, generating qualified leads, and developing meaningful relationships with schools and partner organizations.
Her work across both educational consulting and marketing allows her to bring together two important parts of GESP’s mission: connecting with the right families and providing them with knowledgeable, personalized guidance as they navigate important educational decisions.