Kiesha Watkins
Wilson,North Carolina
Summary
Results-driven High School Counselor with experience specializing in academic advising and supporting students through the FAFSA completion process. Knowledgeable at guiding students in course selection, ensuring they meet graduation requirements, and preparing them for post-secondary education opportunities. Experienced in providing one-on-one advising to help students explore college and career pathways, while ensuring they understand the financial aid process and complete the FAFSA accurately. Skilled in organizing workshops and information sessions to educate both students and parents on college readiness, scholarship opportunities, and financial aid. Committed to empowering students with the resources and guidance they need to succeed academically and pursue higher education with confidence.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
High School Counselor
Hunt High School
08.2021 - Current
- Provide comprehensive counseling services to students in grades 9-12, focusing on academic, career, and personal development
- Lead annual FAFSA workshops for students and families, increasing FAFSA completion rates.
- Assist students with FAFSA applications, including gathering documents, calculating EFC, and navigating the verification process
- Review financial aid packages with students, advising on scholarships, loans, and other funding opportunities
- Work with diverse student populations, including those facing unique challenges such as nontraditional family structures or language barriers
- Collaborate with parents, teachers, and administrators to track student progress and ensure success
- 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.
- Cemented relationships with colleges across state, region and entire country to better serve schools' students.
- Guided students through evaluating career interests and potential schools.
- Helped students complete admissions applications and pursue scholarships to fund education at state, private and vocational schools.
- Maintained positive relationships and open communication with parents about application paperwork, testing requirements and upcoming deadlines.
- Educated students on college admissions process and scholarship requirements.
- Delivered supportive and knowledgeable counseling to students with academic or personal concerns.
- Collaborated with parents, school faculty and social workers to address problems and grow student success.
FAFSA Workshop Assistant
Hunt High School
08.2021 - Current
- Developed and delivered workshops focused on FAFSA completion, financial aid options, and scholarship opportunities, benefiting hundreds of students and families
- Assisted with admissions process, financial aid process and obstacles that arose.
- Planned grade-specific events for parents to address specific needs of academic year.
- Refined curriculum to create top-notch college placement courses.
- Built and maintained relationships with college admissions offices.
- Taught students to navigate college applications process.
Elementary School Counselor
Wilson County Schools- Winstead Elementary
01.2021 - 06.2021
- Administered functional behavioral assessments and developed behavior intervention plans to target maladaptive behaviors.
- Collaborated with behavioral aides, teachers, psychiatrists and school nurses to assess student needs and strengths.
- Conducted group and individual counseling services to elementary students to meet developmental, preventive and remedial needs of students with learning disabilities.
- Used educational assessment strategies such as Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and Student Study Teams (SST) to assist teachers with educational placement of students.
- Maintained confidential behavioral data, special education reports and services reports.
- Collaborated with parents and teachers to help students reach potential.
- Collaborated with parents, school faculty and social workers to address problems and grow student success.
- Helped students develop organizational, time management and study skills.
Administrative Assistant
Wilson County Schools -Hearne Elementary School
01.2004 - 01.2021
- Answered multi-line phone system, routing calls, delivering messages to staff and greeting visitors.
- Maintained inventory of office supplies and placed orders.
- Established administrative work procedures to track staff's daily tasks.
- Transcribed and organized information to assist in preparing speeches and presentations.
- Recorded new hires, transfers, terminations, changes in job classifications and merit increases to main human resources files.
- Interacted with vendors, contractors and professional services personnel to receive orders, direct activities, and communicate instructions.
- Managed phone and email correspondence and handled incoming and outgoing mail and faxes.
- Supported company leaders by managing budgets, scheduling appointments and organizing itinerary.
- Liaised between clients and vendors and maintained effective lines of communication.
- Managed filing system, entered data and completed other clerical tasks.
Education
Master of Arts - School Counseling
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA05-2021
Master of Arts - Human Services Counseling
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA09-2016
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
Barton College
Wilson, NC 05-2013
Skills
- Scholarship research
- Behavioral assessment
- Crisis intervention
- Post-secondary career exploration
Timeline
High School Counselor
Hunt High School
08.2021 - Current
FAFSA Workshop Assistant
Hunt High School
08.2021 - Current
Elementary School Counselor
Wilson County Schools- Winstead Elementary
01.2021 - 06.2021
Administrative Assistant
Wilson County Schools -Hearne Elementary School
01.2004 - 01.2021
Master of Arts - School Counseling
Liberty University
Master of Arts - Human Services Counseling
Liberty University
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
Barton College
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