Supporting children as students and people
Xavier Brown
School and Mental Health Counseling M.S.Ed., 2017
Before Penn GSE: Undergraduate student and social work case manager
After Penn GSE: Coordinator, Dual Enrollment Middle College Programs, Community College of Philadelphia and doctoral student at St. Joseph’s University
"I would come into work the Monday after a program weekend energized because I was able to put what I had learned Friday, Saturday, and Sunday into practice. I saw the impact I was having."
Growing up as an African American male without a lot of resources, I wish I had a professional who could have helped guide me. This program prepared me to support the next generation of kids like me as both scholars and people.
The program allowed me to go to work Monday through Friday and concentrate on my studies in the evenings and one weekend a month. Even though I wasn’t on campus most days, I still had a full Penn GSE experience. My professors invested themselves in me and the work and made sure they were always available to answer my questions. They forever changed my outlook on counseling and education.
I would come into work the Monday after a program weekend energized because I was able to put what I had learned Friday, Saturday, and Sunday into practice. I saw the impact I was having.
Through my studies, I made a connection with the Dean of Community Engagement at the Community College of Philadelphia. When I graduated, they created a position for me as a Coordinator of Dual Enrollment for a program that allows high school students to concurrently earn an associate's degree in liberal arts. Here, I’m able to go beyond traditional advising and create a system to support student’s needs.
Recognizing the value of Penn GSE, last year I brought in three interns from Penn GSE’s counseling and mental health programs to work with our students.