Sophia Graves
Phoenix
Summary
Dedicated School Counselor adept at implementing comprehensive counseling programs that foster academic and social-emotional growth in diverse student populations. Expert in crisis intervention and college readiness programming, with a history of guiding students through Education and Career Action Plans and achieving high FAFSA completion rates. Actively pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis for enhanced student support.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
School Counselor
Cesar Chavez High School
Laveen
06.2015 - 06.2016
- Provided academic, career, and socialemotional counseling services.
- Delivered college readiness workshops and scholarship planning presentations for students and families.
- Assisted students with college applications, financial aid planning, and scholarship opportunities.
- Collaborated with faculty and parents to support academic success and student engagement.
- Connected students with community mental health and social service resources when additional support was required.
- Provided individual counseling to students addressing academic and personal challenges.
Student Services Specialist
Maricopa County Community Colleges District
Tempe
12.2008 - 06.2016
- Processed federal financial aid applications and verifications in compliance with Department of Education regulations.
- Provided financial aid counseling and FAFSA guidance to hundreds of prospective and enrolled college students annually.
- Designed financial aid packages helping students access funding for college enrollment.
- Interpreted federal policies and assisted students navigating scholarships, grants, and funding options.
- Delivered financial aid literacy workshops for high school students, families, and community outreach events.
- Assisted students with enrollment and registration processes effectively.
- Resolved student inquiries and issues through effective communication methods.
- Maintained accurate student records in the college database system.
- Collaborated with faculty to address student concerns and academic challenges.
School Counselor
Phoenix College Preparatory Academy (MCCCD)
Phoenix
06.2016 - Current
- Manage counseling caseload supporting approximately 300+ high school students annually in academic planning, graduation progress, and postsecondary pathway development.
- Implement components of a comprehensive school counseling program aligned with the ASCA National Model supporting academic, career, and social-emotional development.
- Guide students through completion of Education and Career Action Plans (ECAP) aligning coursework with long-term college and career goals.
- Conduct individual and small-group counseling interventions addressing test anxiety, motivation, study skills, and social emotional development.
- Facilitate workshops focused on FAFSA completion, scholarship searches, financial aid literacy, and college admissions planning.
- Supported seniors in achieving an estimated 90%+ FAFSA completion and postsecondary planning participation.
- Coordinate ASVAB testing administration supporting students pursuing military career pathways.
- Proctor and assist with ACT standardized testing including coordination of accommodations for students with IEP and 504 plans.
- Monitor attendance, academic progress, and behavioral data to identify students requiring targeted interventions.
- Delivered crisis intervention and facilitated connections to community mental health and social service resources.
- Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and families to support student success.
- Provided individual counseling to students addressing academic and personal challenges.
- Coordinated workshops on college readiness and career exploration for students.
- Collaborated with teachers to support student behavioral and emotional needs.
- Maintained accurate student records and confidential information in compliance regulations.
- Identified at-risk students to provide support for successful academic experience and personal growth.
- Consulted with families and staff to discuss strategies necessary for improved student social and academic performance.
- Conducted assessments of students' cognitive abilities, interests, personality traits and career aspirations.
- Organized extracurricular activities to promote self-esteem, teamwork, and healthy peer relationships, fostering a supportive school environment.
- Served as a liaison between schools, families, agencies and other stakeholders involved in providing appropriate supports for students.
- ADE-CCRI Reporting Completion
- Maintain SIS systems such as School Master, Infinite Campus, and Power School.
- Administered and balanced budgets for college courses and materials for concurrent/dual enrollment students.
- Help students apply for college resources programs such as ACE and Hoop of Learning.
Education
Graduate Certificate - Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ10-2026
Master of Arts - Counselor Education
Ottawa University
PhoenixBachelor of Arts - Human & Social Services
Ottawa University
Phoenix, AZSkills
- Comprehensive School Counseling Programs (ASCA Model)
- Education & Career Action Planning (ECAP)
- College & Career Readiness Programming
- FAFSA Completion & Financial Aid Advising
- Postsecondary Planning & College Admissions
- Crisis Intervention & Student Support
- Small Group Counseling & Behavioral Interventions
- Individual counseling
- Crisis intervention
- Standardized Testing Coordination (ACT / ASVAB)
- Student Data Monitoring & Academic Intervention Planning
- Behavioral Intervention Strategies
- Family & Community Collaboration
- Social-emotional learning
- Professional referral network
Certification
- Arizona Department of Education - School Counselor Certification (K-12)
- QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Instructor
- CPR Instructor
- RBT - Registered Behavior Technician
Timeline
School Counselor
Phoenix College Preparatory Academy (MCCCD)
06.2016 - Current
School Counselor
Cesar Chavez High School
06.2015 - 06.2016
Student Services Specialist
Maricopa County Community Colleges District
12.2008 - 06.2016
Graduate Certificate - Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Arizona State University
Master of Arts - Counselor Education
Ottawa University
Bachelor of Arts - Human & Social Services
Ottawa University