Giselle Perry

Giselle stands outside, green grass and a bloom tree are visible behind her. She smiles directly at the camera, her head slightly tilted. She wears glasses and a blue and white patterned shirt

Pronouns:

She/Her

Department:

Early Childhood Studies

How did you end up going into your current role or field and what do you enjoy most about the work you do?

After retiring from my career as a School Counselor, I found an opportunity to continue with similar work here at SSU as a Professional Academic Advisor for the Early Childhood Studies Department. I support and guide young adults as they experience higher education and paths to future careers. I have come full circle as a counselor as well; my Masters in Counseling degree was completed here at SSU.

What do you enjoy most about being part of the Sonoma State community?

As part of my counseling career, I coordinated a collaborative advising program for local migrant students. The Migrant Education Advisor Program, or "MEAP" hired SSU students to work at area schools as bilingual academic advisors and role models for migrant students and their parents. Many SSU students pursued their MA in Counseling after their experience with MEAP, and a number of these bilingual and bicultural students went on to work in our local area serving K-12 students of all backgrounds. I must admit that this has been the experience I most enjoyed about being part of the SSU community - being able to address the great need for more bilingual and bicultural education professionals who could be representative of the changing demographics in our area and state.

What do you find most fulfilling about working in higher education?

At SSU I was given the opportunity to become an Adjunct Lecturer for the Counseling MA program. This experience was so rewarding; being able to impart my professional experience with future school counselors. My scholarly side thoroughly appreciates the possibility of obtaining more knowledge and sharing ideas while respectfully debating others.

In what ways does your work make an impact on students, the campus or the broader campus community?

Over the years I have experienced Sonoma County's respect for SSU and the work we do. My current work as a Professional Academic Advisor gives me the opportunity to spend more one-on-one time with students, offering a safe space to feel seen and heard. It is very rewarding to be able to connect current students with my longtime network of SSU Alumni herein Sonoma County. I believe that these connections and collaborations enrich not only a student's college experience, but the greater community as well.