Academic & College Counselor Ms. Nilsen: Passionate Advocate for Your Future

When you go on vacation, is one of your top leisure activities visiting the colleges in the area? If you’re Santa Clarita Valley International (SCVi) Charter School Academic and College Counselor Ms. Kris Nilsen, it is! Ms. Nilsen is passionate about helping the TK-12 learners at our tuition-free school find the best fit for their college and career aspirations. She also helps figure out what those aspirations are and how to design a fabulous future.

Please tell us about your background and how you came to be at SCVi.

I graduated college from Cal State Northridge in 1991 and worked at Rancho San Antonio Boys Home with boys who were on probation. I realized the important role a social worker had working with this population so I went to Cal State Long Beach and graduated with a Master’s In Social Work and a PPS Credential in 1996. I became a CPS worker for the Department of Children and Family Services for two years. 

I then taught math at Pinecrest Middle School for five years and was the Dean of Students for three years. When my mom wanted to go back into the classroom and teach, she said, “You should be principal of the middle school.” 

I went back to Cal State Northridge and graduated in 2006 with a Master’s in Education and an Administration Credential. I was the Campus Director of Pinecrest Simi Valley for four years, until Pinecrest Schools closed their doors in 2016.

Fulfilling my dream of being a high school counselor, I was hired at SCVi in August of 2016 as the Academic/College Counselor.

What do you love about SCVi? What sets it apart from other schools?

SCVi is amazing. I get the opportunity to work with all of our high schoolers individually and spend time talking about academics and life for them after high school. SCVi is a small school and embraces each and every one of our learners as family. I love when graduates come back to visit, which they do often, and tell me how they are doing. The relationships we form are for a lifetime.

Tell us about your role as Academic and College Counselor at SCVi.

I am in my 8th year at SCVi as the Academic/College/IB Counselor. I absolutely love my job and have a passion for college. I wake up every day excited to go to work and spend time with our high school learners. I work with a great team and thoroughly enjoy time with my colleagues inside and outside of work.

I was hired primarily to create a college-going culture at SCVi. In order for me to effectively guide families and learners with the college process, I received my College Counseling Certificate from UCLA. The program helped me become a well-informed college counselor in addition to my role as the Academic Counselor (schedules, transcripts, etc.). I have networked with other counselors in the field, have joined organizations (ASCA and NACAC) and have had the pleasure to attend many college and counseling conferences around the US. My favorite thing to do is to go to the conferences a couple of days early, rent a car, and drive around to colleges in the state.

Every year I take our learners to the National College Fair in Pasadena, where they speak to college admission representatives and mingle with other high school students. I proctor the SAT for our students so they can take a college exam in the comfort of their own school and with their peers.

What types of activities are you involved in at SCVi?

I am the senior advisor and involved in all activities having to do with our graduating class: prom, grad bash, senior retreat, senior sunrise, senior sunset, senior lock-in, graduation, etc. 

With a colleague, we brought the Senior Defense activity to SCVi, where our seniors give a presentation on why they should graduate from high school. The panel of adults includes staff, parents, and community members. It is a great way for our seniors to end their high school career before heading out into the world.

In your opinion, what makes a great leader? How do you teach leadership?

I used to think that a leader was someone who was in a leadership role with a leadership title. Through all of my educational experience I have realized that to be a great leader, you need to lift others up and support them in their quest to be a great leader. 

Collaboration, delegation, integrity, trust, loyalty, and hard work are essential parts of leadership; and modeling these traits shows others your strong leadership qualities. People always say it takes a village to raise a child; it takes a team of people who work together and respect each other’s opinions and contributions to make a great leader.

What does a day in your school life look like?

Usually I have kids in my office all day. If they have an open block or need a break they will come hang out in my office. I may have individual meetings with learners to discuss academics, grades, and college. Some days I support positive classroom engagement in classrooms.

Five fun facts about Ms. Nilsen:

1. I have been married for 31 years and have two daughters: Kasey 25 and Grace 21. We also have Dobby, a Borador puppy we adopted from the shelter. 
2. I love colleges and will take any opportunity to visit them when I visit other states. 
3. I have never traveled outside of the United States. I love the beach and the one place I have yet to visit is Italy. 
4. I enjoy playing pickleball with my family and 82-year-old father. 
5. And everyone seems to know that I absolutely love the color purple and have accessories and a purple car to prove it. I am also called “Sparklefairy” because I love sparkly things and always have a positive attitude.

We love how passionate our staff members are about our amazing learners! Join us – our tuition-free TK-12th grade charter school is enrolling now!

 

About SCVi:

Santa Clarita Valley International School (SCVi) is a free public charter school empowering TK-12th graders to become conscientious, compassionate, and responsible citizens of the world. We use project-based and social-emotional learning concepts to inspire and motivate lifelong learners with the skills they need to lead in the 21st century. We incorporate technology into every component of our curriculum, and we value and encourage development of leadership skills by inspiring confidence and character in each of our unique learners. Join our innovative school today!