advocacy.collegeboard.org 2011 NOSCA National Advocacy Awards
Each year, the NOSCA National Advocacy Awards recognize exemplary service and advocacy efforts of individual school counseling professionals. The 2011 winners below were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the counseling community.
The Advocacy Awards are presented at the annual NOSCA National Conference. The 2012 Destination Equity conference is in National Harbor, MD.
Dr. Esther Hugo
Increasing Equity in College and Career Readiness through Collaborative Partnerships
Dr. Esther Hugo is a passionate leader who has devoted her career to promoting college and career readiness counseling. Dr. Hugo is the recipient of the NOSCA National Advocacy Award for Partnerships and Collaborations for her ground breaking work in the development and execution of the James Irvine Foundation Grant to promote college and career readiness counseling.
Through this grant Dr. Hugo created a vibrant partnership between the College Board Western Regional Office, school counselor leaders and practitioners that impacted 3,000 public school counselors and 20 school districts. Most noteworthy is the professional development provided by this grant in districts where there are high numbers underserved student populations. The professional development training resulted in impressive and positive outcomes by increasing the number of low-income and underserved populations moving through the K-12 college pipeline.
Specifically, districts involved in the Irvine Foundation Grant demonstrated increased enrollment in the University of California system at two times the rate of the state overall, with 11 out of the 20 districts showing an increase. Out of the 20 Irvine districts, 14 reported positive gains in the number of graduates who enrolled in four-year institutions and the growth to community colleges increased by 16.6%.
The work Dr. Hugo implemented through the Irvine Foundation Grant also supported school counseling in the implementation of the California AB 1802 legislation.
Dr. Hugo holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from UCLA and a Master’s in Counseling from Loyola Marymount University, CA. Esther is the past chair of the national College Board Guidance and Admissions Assembly Council, and is a former College Board Trustee. As a member of the Executive Board of the Western Association for College Admissions Counseling, she serves as the Inter-Association Committee Chair.
Dr. Hugo, now retired is the former Outreach Coordinator of Santa Monica College, the top transfer community college in California. Dr. Hugo is past-president of the Western Association for College Admissions Counseling and has twice served on the Board of Directors for the National Association for College Admissions Counseling. Currently, Dr. Hugo is an adjunct professor in the graduate counseling department at Loyola Marymount University and is one of the first online instructors in the UCLA College Counseling Certificate Program. In 2008 she was awarded their prestigious Distinguished Instructors Award.
Ms. Charlotte Winklemann
Increasing Equity in College and Career Readiness K-12 at the District Level
Ms. Charlotte Winklemann is a dedicated leader for over 40 years, and currently serves as Director of College and Career Readiness and Guidance for Hays Consolidated Independent School District in Kyle, Texas. Ms. Winkelmann is the recipient of the NOSCA National Advocacy Award for Increasing Equity in College and Career Readiness K-12 for her leadership and passion in working with leaders, policy makers, teachers, parents, as well as school counselors to ensure all stakeholders understand their role and contribute to helping every student achieve success. Most impressive is the impact these efforts have had on the district’s data. Tremendous increases occurred in college readiness activities with parents, the community and in student participation in rigorous college coursework and college entrance exams and TAKS assessments.
Specifically, Ms. Winklemann’s collaborative efforts contributed to an increase in graduation rates from 87% in AY 2008-2009 to 92% in AY 2009-2010. College Ready Graduates (according to the Texas College Readiness Standards) increased from 38% in 2008 to 43% in 2009. The total increase of AP exams given and scores of 3-5 respectively were 26.8% and 22.5 % with significant gains for Hispanic students overall. For Mexican American students, gains of 78.1% and 53.7% were made respectively as well. Additionally, an 80% increase in African American student participation in SAT occurred from 2009 to 2010. Finally, gains in early participation for PSAT testing were made across all traditionally underserved populations with particular gains by Puerto Rican students.
Under Ms. Winklemann’s guidance, the school district has made changes in policy and programs resulting in the hiring of College and Career Counselors to increase program options for parent and student participation. She has introduced new technology for middle and high school counselors for on-line course planning, tracking college and FAFSA/TASFA applications and parent involvement. She is also the co-chair of the NACAC College Fair that serves over 6,500 students in the Austin, TX area and was instrumental in starting the College Connection program that walks students through the college application process and acceptance into Austin Community College.
Ms. Winkelmann also influenced the annexation of North Hays County into the Austin Community College District resulting in a tuition reduction for students of more than 60%. Her local, state and national service includes past President of the Capitol of Texas Counseling Association, National Guidance and Admissions Assembly Council and the National Search and Scholarship Council of the College Board. She serves on the executive committee of the Texas Association of College Admissions Counselors and will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
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