MARGARET OVERTON GIGANDET '95
Chattanooga,TN
Summary
Student-centered school counselor and college advisor with a background in academic, social-emotional, and post-secondary guidance. Supports students through admissions, FAFSA, scholarship searches, and recommendation letters while building strong relationships with families and college offices to help students choose well-matched college and career paths.
Overview
1
1
Certification
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
School Counselor
Lakeview - Fort Oglethorpe High School
Fort Oglethorpe, GA
07.2005 - Current
- Delivered comprehensive personal, social, and academic counseling to foster student well-being and clear pathways to graduation.
- Assisted with planning of LFO's College and Career Fair, Apply to College and FAFSA completion days.
- Assisted high school seniors in navigating college applications, financial aid processes, and enrollment.
- Managed senior scholarships and coordinated Senior Scholarship Night presentation, facilitating over $2.9M in scholarship funding for Class of 2022.
- Coordinated Advanced Placement (AP) testing, 504 support, and the Georgia Governor's Honors Program.
- Cultivated positive relationships with college admissions representatives and coordinated their visits.
- Utilized data-driven practices to monitor academic progress and implement targeted interventions, ensuring students remained on track for graduation.
- Conducted critical suicide risk assessments and collaborated with community mental health organizations to coordinate comprehensive care wrap-around services.
- Coordinated college, career, and scholarship guidance for high school students.
- Aided students in college and career readiness process, helping with course selection and career assessments.
College and Career Advisor
Signal Mountain Middle High School
Signal Mountain, TN
07.2023 - 08.2025
- Advised students on assessing college fit, academic rigor, costs, value, and alignment with future objectives.
- Facilitated one-on-one and group support for students during college admissions, aligning choices with academic profiles and career aspirations.
- Maintained up-to-date senior scholarship database to enhance financial aid awareness and link qualified candidates to opportunities.
- Prepared personalized recommendation letters for college admissions that highlighted student strengths and character.
- Built and maintained professional relationships with college admissions offices to support students and monitor enrollment trends.
Child and Adolescent Counselor
Lookout Mountain Community Services
Lafayette, GA
07.2004 - 07.2005
- Delivered immediate crisis intervention and emotional support to stabilize youth experiencing severe psychological distress.
- Provided individual, family, and group psychotherapy to enhance emotional well-being of children and adolescents in an outpatient clinical setting.
Admissions Assistant
Furman University
Greenville, SC
1997 - 1999
- Assisted counselors with data entry, document tracking, and file organization.
- Prepared admissions packets, forms, and office correspondence
Education
Education Specialist (Ed.S.) - Counselor Education
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL12-2009
Master of Education (M.Ed.) - School Counseling
University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN05-2004
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Sociology and Communications
Furman University
Greenville, SC05-1999
Skills
- College Preparation
- Admissions Advising
- Academic Degree Planning
- Student Advocacy & Support
- Letters of Recommendation
- Relationship Building & Higher-Ed Outreach
- Scholarship management
- Financial aid
Certification
- Licensed School Counselor (K-12), Georgia , National Certified Counselor (NCC), NBCC (2005 - 2016), Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC), Georgia (2005 - 2008). Licensed School Counselor (K-12), Tennessee
Affiliations
- Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC) | Georgia School Counselor Association (GSCA) | Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE)
Timeline
College and Career Advisor
Signal Mountain Middle High School
07.2023 - 08.2025
School Counselor
Lakeview - Fort Oglethorpe High School
07.2005 - Current
Child and Adolescent Counselor
Lookout Mountain Community Services
07.2004 - 07.2005
Admissions Assistant
Furman University
1997 - 1999
Education Specialist (Ed.S.) - Counselor Education
University of Alabama
Master of Education (M.Ed.) - School Counseling
University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Sociology and Communications
Furman University