Sophia Graves
Phoenix,AZ
Summary
Determined school counselor with success in helping students achieve educational goals and personal well-being. Talented in meeting the objectives of the counseling program by providing preventative education, advocacy, mediation and counseling to students. Sensitive to socioeconomic and cultural differences of students.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
School Counselor
Phoenix College Preparatory Academy (MCCCD)
2018.06 - Current
- Identify and address concerns of incoming students and parents, up to over 15 per day.
- Counsel students wherein behavior, school progress and mental or physical impairment indicated the need for assistance, diagnosing students' problems and arranging for needed services.
- Create and design marketing materials for student recruitment and retention.
- Used data to monitor students' progress and recommend solutions for improvement.
- Regularly met with enrolled students to confirm success and identify problem areas.
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
- Maintained positive relationships with students, faculty, alumni, and administration.
- Reviewed and discussed new students' academic credentials, interests, and educational goals.
- Identified and addressed concerns of incoming students and parents.
- Developed and implemented individualized behavior plans to assist students with achieving academic and behavioral goals.
- Facilitated classroom discussions to emphasize bullying prevention and college readiness.
- Partnered with parents and guardians to promote student success in school environment.
- Assisted high school seniors complete college applications and meet requirements necessary for graduation.
- Developed and conducted workshops and seminars to educate students, faculty and parents on relevant topics in field.
- Coordinated with outside agencies to determine students receive appropriate services and resources.
- Helped students develop organizational, time management and study skills.
- Analyzed student academic records to assess educational and career goals.
- Educated students on college admissions process and scholarship requirements.
- Collaborated with parents, school faculty and social workers to address problems and grow student success.
School Counselor
Cesar Chavez High School
2017.08 - 2018.06
- Analyzed student data to assess counseling program effectiveness and make improvements.
- Provided referrals for community resources and mental health professionals for over 200 families and students.
- Assessed students' abilities and recommended degree programs to highlight strengths.
- Built schedules around students' strengths and long-term goals, customizing different approaches for college preparatory and technical school pathways.
- Supported students through challenging developmental milestones and crisis situations and coordinated outside service referrals for those needing extra assistance.
- Delivered high-quality services to students needing academic and emotional support.
- Educated individuals with special interests about unique grants and scholarships for higher education.
- Helped students complete admissions applications and pursue scholarships to fund education at state, private and vocational schools.
- Educated students on college admissions process and scholarship requirements.
- Worked with individuals to help understand and overcome personal, social or behavioral problems affecting educational or vocational situations.
- Collaborated with parents, school faculty and social workers to address problems and grow student success.
- Planned and promoted career planning presentations, work experience programs and career workshops.
- Advocated for students to access available resources.
- Collaborated with parents and teachers to help students reach potential.
- Delivered supportive and knowledgeable counseling to students with academic or personal concerns.
- Provided resources to support students in achieving career goals.
- Used standardized assessments to evaluate abilities, interests and characteristics of different students.
- Maintained positive relationships and open communication with parents about application paperwork, testing requirements and upcoming deadlines.
Student Service Specialist
Maricopa County Community Colleges
2008.12 - 2017.08
- Counseled students and parents about financial aid options and program details.
- Processed federal financial aid verifications per DOE/FAFSA guidelines.
- Processed unique financial aid profiles for undergrad and post-grad applications.
- Represented financial aid office at group meetings with high school students and parents.
- Authored presentations and documentation for distribution to current and prospective students.
- Designed financial aid reward packages, aligning contents with individuals' monetary and logistical needs.
- Reviewed initial financial aid applications for accuracy and compliance with reporting standards.
- Communicated with prospective students to illustrate available financial aid opportunities.
- Reviewed financial aid appeals, issuing secondary and final judgments on award packages.
- Provided financial aid counseling to enrolled and prospective students.
- Calculated, reviewed and corrected errors on interest, principal and closing costs.
- Stayed up to date on financial aid regulation changes in compliance with current laws.
- Provide financial aid outreach workshops to current and prospective students within MCCCD campuses and local high schools.
- Conduct orientations to current and prospective student groups regarding financial aid availability and procedures.
- Assisted triage program to provide guidance in all student service areas such as advisement, enrollment, and financial aid.
- Responsible for researching, analyzing, and interpreting multiple reports using SIS (People Soft), BOEXI, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access.
- Management of office workflow and the complex regulations of policies and procedures.
- Created written procedures on current financial aid process including creation of financial aid forms.
- Resolve and counsel escalated financial aid and student services inquiries.
Education
Master of Arts - Counselor Education
Ottawa University
Ottawa, KSBachelor of Science - Human Services
Ottawa University
Ottawa, KSSkills
- Program development and management
- Data-driven decision making
- Individual and family support
- Diverse groups presentations
- Professional referral network
- Student progress reporting
- Attention to detail
- Active listening
Certification
- School Counseling Certification - (Updated 2024)
- Substitute Teacher Certification
- CPR Instructor
Affiliations
- Member, American School Counselors Association
- Member, Arizona School Counselors Association
- Member, MCCCD Women’s Leadership Group
- Member, MCCCD Student Public Policy Forum
- Member, MCCCD Maricopa Council on Black American Affairs
- Member, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
- Member, Western Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
- Member, WASFAA sub-group Ethnic Diversity Action Committee
Timeline
School Counselor
Phoenix College Preparatory Academy (MCCCD)
2018.06 - Current
School Counselor
Cesar Chavez High School
2017.08 - 2018.06
Student Service Specialist
Maricopa County Community Colleges
2008.12 - 2017.08
Master of Arts - Counselor Education
Ottawa University
Bachelor of Science - Human Services
Ottawa University
- School Counseling Certification - (Updated 2024)
- Substitute Teacher Certification
- CPR Instructor
Affiliations
- Member, American School Counselors Association
- Member, Arizona School Counselors Association
- Member, MCCCD Women’s Leadership Group
- Member, MCCCD Student Public Policy Forum
- Member, MCCCD Maricopa Council on Black American Affairs
- Member, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
- Member, Western Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
- Member, WASFAA sub-group Ethnic Diversity Action Committee
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