National Office for School Counselor Advocacy (NOSCA)

Patricia J. Martin is a nationally recognized leader in the reform of school counseling and efforts to design training opportunities to help practicing counselors become an integral part of the primary mission for schools. She has more than 30 years of experience as a public school educator, having worked as a teacher, school counselor, supervisor of counselors, high school principal, chief educational administrator and assistant superintendent of schools in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Ms. Martin has an extensive and productive history of involvement in national and state efforts working on issues related to large urban school districts, leadership, school counseling and academic equity for students for whom school systems have not served well in the past. She has developed and managed many institutional programs and system policies that directly impact the education and career options for these students in school districts.

From 1996 to 2001, Ms. Martin served as a senior program manager at the Education Trust, Inc., a not for profit organization in Washington, DC, working to improve the academic achievement for all students K-12, especially low income and minority students. At the Trust, Pat provided the leadership for The National Initiative for Transforming School Counseling — a multi-year program funded by the Wallace-Reader’s Digest Fund, which established national models of redesigned counselor education pre-service programs focused on advocacy for students. Pat has provided leadership nationally in the development and implementation of numerous initiatives designed to promote access, equity, and excellence for all students.

At the College Board (2001-2003), prior to taking on the role of leadership in the National Office for School Counselor Advocacy, Ms. Martin served as the Assistant Vice President for the Middle States Regional Office. This region encompasses DC, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. In this position, Ms. Martin worked with K-16 educators, state educational leaders, superintendents of schools, college admissions and financial aid administrators, communities and organizations with the expressed purpose of implementing the College Board mission — connecting young people to college success and opportunity.

Presently at the National Office of School Counselor Advocacy, Ms. Martin leads the College Board's efforts to serve as a national advocate for school counselors, charged with creating a national prominence for counselors in education reform. She collaborates, coordinates and develops ongoing initiatives with national, state and local organizations to strengthen the school counselors’ role in advancing the academic agenda for all students.

Ms. Martin has served as a national consultant on educational issues for state departments of education, national educational organizations, The College Board, The National Equity 2000 Initiative, school districts, superintendents of schools, higher education institutions, principals, teachers, parents and community leaders. She is a prolific presenter and motivational speaker at national, state and local forums.

Ms. Martin received her B.A. in mathematics from University of Texas, Austin and a Master's in School Counseling from Our Lady of the Lake College, Texas.