Sophie Brown crocheting with her cat. Photo Credits: Sophie Brown.
Bridget Flaherty, Feature Desk Lead for The Powderhorn
Transitioning from Watauga High School to Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute (CCC&TI) can be challenging. From registering for Caldwell classes during high school to transferring to Caldwell fully after graduation, all students need guidance for the transition process. Sophie Brown, Watauga High School’s new CCC&TI transition advisor, has come to Watauga to help students figure out their futures with Caldwell.
“My main roles include helping high school students register for college classes, informing students on the programs CCC&TI offers, and easing the transition from high school to Caldwell Community College after graduation for those who wish to continue with us,” Brown explained.
Brown has dedicated her career to helping students transition to post-high school life and has had a lot of experience doing so not just at Watauga but through other school systems as well. Brown has helped many students find their way to a better future no matter where they want to go or who they want to be.
“Before this job, I worked at Western Piedmont Community College as their TRIO Student Support Services Advisor,” said Brown. “I advised first-generation, low-income students in registration, financial aid, transfer to 2-year and 4-year institutions, and career exploration and development.”
While having a professional background with community college, Brown has also had a personal background with this type of education as well, making it easier for her to relate to the students she’s assisting.
“I was once a high schooler taking college classes with CCC&TI and actually graduated high school with my associate degree,” Brown explained. “That opportunity drove my passion for working in the community college setting to help people of all different ages and backgrounds have access to higher education.”
To add to Brown’s experience, she has also been heavily involved with CCC&TI for a long time, taking on many types of different jobs to further her career.
“During college, I worked at the CCC&TI Watauga Campus for two years as an Adult Education Instructor helping students get their high school equivalency,” Brown said. “I was also CCC&TI’s Adult Learner Outreach Facilitator which focused on making community and college resources accessible to all students to ensure student success. In high school, I also worked as a Technical Assistant in CCC&TI’s Learning Resource Center.”
Although Brown has so much experience with helping students, she has found this year especially challenging. From Hurricane Helene to consistent snow days, she has had trouble connecting with as many students as she would like.
“It has been a balancing act of wanting to sit down with every single student to check in and discuss their goals and options, but not being able to do so this time around,” Brown explained. “Learning to adapt and be flexible, while also being knowledgeable, understanding, caring, and patient, with myself and my students has been a priority in overcoming whatever challenges we may face.”
Despite the challenging experiences Brown has endured with this new role, she’s looking forward to helping more students discover their path, find balance, and navigate any possible challenges coming their way.
“High school is a weird time where life is confusing and sometimes you’re not sure at all what you want to do with it, and that’s okay,” Brown said. “I’ve really enjoyed speaking with students about their goals for the future and what programs CCC&TI offers that can help make that happen for them.”
Comments