Inaugural National School Counselor Fellows (NSCF) Program

Are you interested in being part of the Inaugural National School Counselor Fellows (NSCF) Program? Applications are open now and the fellowship will begin Fall 2022.

NSCF will comprise a diverse group of school counselors who represent communities throughout the country. Fellows will be selected based on an application review and interviews. SC Fellows will receive ongoing mentorship and training centered in leadership and advocacy development. They will utilize a community of practice approach tailored to meet the ever-changing educational landscape and focused on solutions that address the pandemic’s impact on student’s educational pathways. School counselors are well positioned to take a leadership role as they inform and guide the postsecondary trajectories of all students by ensuring that students are socially, academically, logistically, and financially prepared for life beyond high school.

The school counselor fellows will share ideas, pose questions, digest evidence-based research, review school and district policies, and discuss interventions that support college and career readiness and postsecondary planning. Fellows will receive professional development, supervision and training that embrace equity driven leadership and advocacy practices.

Additionally, through the exploration of ways systems of oppression, implicit bias, and internalized racism impacts postsecondary access, SC Fellows will develop their understanding of anti-racist postsecondary advising, enrollment, and persistence.

SC Fellows agree to:
1. Make a two-year fellowship commitment. Year 1 (2022-2023) as a participating fellow and Year 2 (2023-2024) as a mentor to new fellows.
2. Attend monthly school counselor fellow meetings (via Zoom) – 2 hours per month, beginning October 2022.
3. Participate in one hour of monthly peer consultation.
4. Dedicate an average of 10 hours a month toward meetings, research and scholarship, leadership development, and advocacy projects.

SC Fellows will:
1. Engage in postsecondary research; including student/parent survey administration and focus groups.
2. Establish and facilitate a parent and student advisory board.
3. Complete monthly assignments, readings and reflections.
4. Complete a postsecondary related leadership and advocacy project each year.
5. Engage in reflection regarding professional development and growth.

Their model recognizes major areas of need related to postsecondary advising, access, and attainment. Selected fellows will work collaboratively to prioritize areas of the most urgent need that will help to outline the selected advocacy projects and activities.

Apply at https://cepa.chat/CEPA-National-School-Counselor-Fellows

For questions about the application or program contact them at cepa@sdsu.edu