Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Certification
Conference Presentations
Timeline
Generic

Safiya Muhammad

Falls Church

Summary

Experienced Student Success and Academic Advising professional with over 15 years of experience in academic planning, goal setting, and career exploration. Supports diverse student populations in virtual and in-person environments while navigating academic policies and ensuring confidentiality. Develops innovative programs to enhance retention and engagement, manages high-volume caseloads, and facilitates workshops to provide exceptional service.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Virtual School Counselor

STRIDE, INC.| FRIENDSHIP PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL ONLINE
WASHINGTON, DC
12.2025 - Current

• Provide virtual academic, career, and social-emotional counseling to students in a fully online public school environment.
• Conduct high-volume video meetings with students and families to support academic success, graduation planning, attendance, and engagement.
• Analyze academic performance, attendance, behavioral, and graduation data to identify students needing intervention.
• Develop individualized success plans that help students establish goals, overcome barriers, and remain on track toward graduation.
• Partner with teachers, administrators, enrollment staff, and families to coordinate interventions and improve learner outcomes.
• Document counseling sessions, interventions, and student progress in student information and case management systems.
• Conduct outreach through phone, email, text, and video conferencing to re-engage students and encourage persistence.
• Facilitate virtual workshops and informational sessions focused on college readiness, executive functioning, academic success, and postsecondary planning.
• Manage a large caseload while providing personalized support that promotes accountability, resilience, and student achievement.

Executive Function Coach

Study Pro
McLean, VA
09.2025 - Current
  • Coach middle school and high school through individualized virtual coaching focused on organization, time management, study skills, and academic success.
  • Document coaching sessions and track student progress to inform tailored support.
  • Assess learner progress and create customized action plans to enhance academic achievement.
  • Coordinate with parents and educational stakeholders to support learner success.
  • Assisted students in identifying and addressing academic challenges through goal setting, accountability, and problem-solving.

Library Assistant

Loudoun County Public Library
Sterling, VA
06.2023 - Current
  • Developed and supported engaging programming for teens, enhancing community involvement at After Hours Teen Center.
  • Promoted literacy and reading enjoyment through developing engaging book displays and promotional materials.
  • Coordinated community events that increased literacy awareness and engagement within the library.
  • Developed and supported engaging programming for teens at After Hours Teen Center.
  • Created engaging book displays and promotional materials to foster literacy and encourage reading enjoyment.
  • Processed library card applications and maintained patron records with accurate contact information.

Elementary School Counselor

Falls Church City Public Schools
Falls Church, VA
08.2024 - 06.2025
  • Facilitated student groups and workshops on executive functioning, emotional regulation, and community-building to enhance student skills and resilience.
  • Coordinated 504 accommodation meetings, collaborating with families and teachers to ensure effective support services for students.
  • Facilitated inclusion-focused programming with school Equity Team, promoting initiatives aligned with No Place for Hate to foster an inclusive school environment.

Middle School Counselor

Fairfax County Public Schools
Herndon, VA
08.2023 - 06.2024
  • Led school-wide events, enhancing community engagement through student recognition programs and mental wellness campaigns.
  • Collaborated with staff and caregivers to assess needs and refer families to emergency services, housing support, and financial assistance resources during crises.
  • Collaborated with families and teachers to increase student attendance and engagement, supporting academic performance.
  • Assessed family needs with staff and caregivers, facilitating referrals to emergency services, housing support, and financial assistance during crises.
  • Acted as admissions liaison for the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, supporting outreach and application efforts.

CAMPUS Program Counselor (District Level)

Loudoun County Public Schools
Ashburn, VA
08.2022 - 06.2023
  • Coordinated district-wide college readiness program for first-generation students across multiple high schools, enhancing accessibility to higher education resources.
  • Delivered case management and postsecondary advising for students with complex needs, connecting families with wraparound services to support college access and long-term stability.
  • Designed and delivered career and college exploration workshops, parent outreach sessions, and ambassador-led events.
  • Developed program curriculum, coordinated annual celebration events, and reported student outcome data to district leaders to inform program effectiveness.
  • Delivered case management and postsecondary advising for students with complex needs, connecting families with essential wraparound services to facilitate college access.

High School Counselor

Loudoun County Public Schools
Sterling, VA
08.2017 - 06.2022
  • Facilitated individual and group counseling to enhance academic, social-emotional, and post-secondary outcomes for students.
  • Led professional development workshops for staff, supporting dropout prevention initiatives through targeted systemic interventions.
  • Established collaborations with local community agencies to enhance support services. with community agencies to support student wraparound services.
  • Conducted short-term case management to assess and address student and family needs, providing crisis intervention and connecting them with essential school- and community-based supports.

Mental Health Specialist

National Center for Children and Families (JC Nalle ES)
Washington, DC
09.2015 - 07.2017
  • Delivered case management, counseling, and family engagement support to foster student well-being within community school model.
  • Organized school-based and afterschool events to increase student engagement and decrease suspension rates.
  • Developed and implemented individualized treatment plans for children facing mental health challenges.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to assess client needs and enhance service delivery.
  • Conducted regular mental health assessments to monitor progress and adjust interventions accordingly.

Access Service Representative

Baystate Health - Baystate Medical Center
Springfield, MA
06.2007 - 09.2015
  • Processed 50+ daily inquiries and registrations to verify insurance, collect payments, and ensure regulatory compliance, contributing to efficient patient flow.
  • Admitted patients with diagnosis-based software, supporting clinical teams by fulfilling administrative requirements promptly.
  • Admitted patients using diagnosis-based software and supported clinical teams with administrative needs.
  • Streamlined patient registration process by implementing efficient data entry techniques, enhancing accuracy and reducing wait times.

Administrative Assistant/Operational Support Rep

Johnson & Hill Staffing Services
Springfield, MA
08.2010 - 08.2013
  • Facilitated executive support in fast-paced corporate environment, enhancing workflow efficiency.
  • Coordinated scheduling, travel, and reporting while creating Excel-based sales and workflow spreadsheets to streamline operations.
  • Processed documents, tracked compliance, and facilitated interdepartmental communication for new business operations.

Patient Service Representative

Hampden County Physicians
Springfield, MA
02.2009 - 09.2009
  • Provided exceptional customer service by assisting patients and coordinating with external offices to resolve documentation, coverage, and service issues, enhancing patient experience.
  • Ensured accuracy and alignment with healthcare policy and billing procedures through verification of insurance and referral compliance.
  • Converted confidential medical records from paper to electronic format, maintaining data integrity and compliance with regulatory standards.

CNA/Resident Assistant/Home Care Aide

Loomis Communities
South Hadley, MA
12.2007 - 12.2008
  • Delivered direct care and emotional support to enhance well-being of residents in assisted and independent living.
  • Monitored and reported changes in condition to ensure timely emergency response and effective follow-up care.
  • Coordinated resident-centered activities to promote dignity, social connection, and independence.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care and support aging-in-place.
  • Ensured compliance with healthcare standards through accurate maintenance of patient records and documentation.

Banker

Citizens Bank
Springfield, MA
06.2003 - 04.2007
  • Managed client accounts, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and banking policies to maintain trust and security.
  • Developed and implemented customer service strategies, enhancing satisfaction levels and fostering client loyalty.
  • Managed client accounts, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and banking policies.
  • Oversaw loan processing, ensuring timely approvals and minimizing risks and errors to support operational efficiency.

Education

Master of Education - Psychology

Springfield College
Springfield, MA
05-2015

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology

University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA
02-2009

Skills

  • Academic Advising & Student Success
  • Academic Planning & Graduation Audits
  • FERPA compliance
  • Student Records & FERPA Compliance
  • Case Management & Documentation
  • Student Information Systems & CRM
  • Workshop & Program Development
  • Student Outreach & Retention
  • Information systems
  • Data Analysis & Reporting
  • Microsoft Office Suite & Virtual Technologies
  • Organization, Communication & Problem Solving

Affiliations

  • American School Counseling Association (ASCA)
  • Virginia School Counseling Association (VSCA)

Certification

School Counselor, PreK-12 – Virginia Department of Education (Valid through June 2029)

Conference Presentations

  • Multilevel Support for Newcomer English Learners — Virginia School Counseling Conference, October 2024 & 2019
  • Effective Dropout Interventions for Newcomer ELs — American School Counseling Association, July 2019
  • Early Indicators & Interventions for Dropout Prevention— Loudoun County PD, March 2023

Timeline

Virtual School Counselor

STRIDE, INC.| FRIENDSHIP PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL ONLINE
12.2025 - Current

Executive Function Coach

Study Pro
09.2025 - Current

Elementary School Counselor

Falls Church City Public Schools
08.2024 - 06.2025

Middle School Counselor

Fairfax County Public Schools
08.2023 - 06.2024

Library Assistant

Loudoun County Public Library
06.2023 - Current

CAMPUS Program Counselor (District Level)

Loudoun County Public Schools
08.2022 - 06.2023

High School Counselor

Loudoun County Public Schools
08.2017 - 06.2022

Mental Health Specialist

National Center for Children and Families (JC Nalle ES)
09.2015 - 07.2017

Administrative Assistant/Operational Support Rep

Johnson & Hill Staffing Services
08.2010 - 08.2013

Patient Service Representative

Hampden County Physicians
02.2009 - 09.2009

CNA/Resident Assistant/Home Care Aide

Loomis Communities
12.2007 - 12.2008

Access Service Representative

Baystate Health - Baystate Medical Center
06.2007 - 09.2015

Banker

Citizens Bank
06.2003 - 04.2007

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology

University of Massachusetts

Master of Education - Psychology

Springfield College