Tiffany Simon, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, CSC, ’01, ’06
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (April 29, 2021) – Any high school student’s experience would be vastly different without their teachers’ guidance and support. However, an important role that is often behind the scenes is that of the high school counselor. They provide valuable insight and a safe place to discuss goals, dreams, and achievements. They also address obstacles and support students seeking a path to their next steps, whether that is a professional step or a step towards higher education.
Enter Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) Alumna Tiffany Simon, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, CSC, ’01, ’06, who has been a high school counselor since 2006. She has earned a Rhosine Fleming Award from the Texas School Counselor Association (TSCA), naming her TSCA’s High School Counselor of the Year.
In her work with her students each day, Simon draws on her own experience as a student at PVAMU, where many students echo the sentiment that the university’s staff and faculty provide vital support, guidance, and nurturing to each student that passes through campus.
“Students need a place to feel safe and heard. Having an adult on campus that you know is there for you helps students build confidence in themselves,” Simon said.
Embodiment of the Award
The Rhosine Fleming Award was established in memory of Rhosine DuBose Fleming, who was a counselor for Richardson ISD. Rhosine was instrumental in the organization of TSCA in 1966 and served as TSCA Secretary. Each year, the Rhosine Fleming Award is given to an outstanding school counselor at each level (Elementary, Middle, High, and Multilevel School Counselor of the Year, as well as Counselor, Jan Friese Counselor Advocate, Counselor Educator, Campus Administrator, and Legislator of the Year). It also stands as a living memorial to Rhosine’s dedication, professional involvement, and growth.
“I am honored to be presented with this award. I think this helps bring awareness to all the hard work professional school counselors are doing in our schools and community,” Simon said. “Since winning the award, I have been asked about my work as a professional school counselor. This allows me to share many of the things we do that people are not always aware of – including advocating for students in schools and legislative sessions.”
Simon earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree at PVAMU before studying at Sam Houston State University for her Ph.D. in counselor education and leadership. She recently joined the staff at Atascocita High School in Humble ISD, where she focuses on building positive relationships with students and helping them create their plans for their future.
A passionate advocate, Simon says this is where she has found she can best serve students and other counselors.
“One area that I spend a lot of energy on is advocating for school counselors to have the opportunity to spend more time on counseling-related duties within schools and being able to follow a comprehensive school counseling program,” Simon said. “Unfortunately, many school counselors are given responsibilities that take them away from the students they want to serve. I plan to continue working to educate school counselors, district and campus administrators, and state legislators on the effective use of school counselors within schools and the community.”
Simon also serves as a private practice counselor at Houston Family Counseling Center, adjunct professor at Sam Houston State University and the University of St. Thomas, and a consultant with Redefining Futures Consulting. Redefining Futures equips counselors to create counseling programs that impact students’ lives and the communities in which they serve. Through this training program, Simon spreads awareness of how to utilize school counselors best and maximize how they can help students thrive.
“I provide training to school counseling teams and administrators on how to build collaborative relationships between school counselors and administrators. We also discuss teen dating violence, career awareness (PK-12), diversity and inclusion, and more.”
Nurtured on “The Hill”
Simon was a first-generation college student who, as she recalls, “didn’t know much about college.” She first considered PVAMU at the encouragement of her family and found it was a place that opened her mind to the possibilities of how she could give back the kind of support PVAMU lent her.
“My father asked me to consider PVAMU because he knew I would be in good hands,” Simon remembered. “We came for a campus visit, and after that visit, I knew he was right. From the day of the campus visit to now – I have never felt alone or unsupported at PVAMU. The pride we have as Panthers keeps us striving to be the best so that we honor all that PV has provided us.”
As a former student, one thing she says she’ll always remember about “The Hill” is, of course, the people – the faculty and staff who are at the heart of PVAMU’s mission. Her time at the university more than prepared her for her career as a counselor. It also enabled her to pay it forward in gratefulness to those who counseled and guided her, by being that for others.
“I will always remember the support of the faculty,” Simon said. “As a graduate, I continue to feel connected to many professors at PVAMU. Dr. L. Foster (in the math department), Dr. G. Brown, and Dr. A. Keaton (in the biology department) – each of these professors were a large part of my undergrad journey. When I didn’t know if I could continue, I can remember each of them providing that push to keep going and be the best that I could. They were available outside of class, and they had high expectations. In graduate school, Drs. McWhorter and Dr. Duffus encouraged me to continue and pursue a doctorate. Please know this list could go on and on! I hope that I can continue their legacy. PVAMU helped foster a foundation of always striving to learn more and give back. In both undergrad and grad, we were encouraged to go out and learn, but most importantly, bring that knowledge back to teach others.”
By Meredith Mohr
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