Erica Arivette knew from a young age that she wanted to serve as a mentor and guide for others. Her personal experience with her own mentors is what influenced her.
“I had amazing mentors and guides helping me as I was progressing through my high school career and seeking higher education,” Arivette said. “I wanted to be able to do that for future generations to hopefully make a difference in their lives.”
Arivette went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in human services and a master’s in education as well as a career development certification. She spent several years as a career coach for seventh- to 12th-grade students in Central Arkansas. In October 2020, she became a Student Success Coordinator at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts.
Arivette is one of three SSCs who serve as part of the academic affairs staff at ASMSA. Penny Lock and Bret Vallun also serve as SSCs. Together, they provide important information about college admission changes and scholarships to the students. They also help guide the students in selecting coursework and class schedules that will be the most beneficial for students to reach their goals.
Having the three SSCs is an important advantage for ASMSA students. According to the American School Counselor Association, the average student-to-school-counselor ratio in high schools is 311-to-1. Only one in five high school students are enrolled where there is a sufficient amount of school counselors — which according to ASCA standards is a student-to-teacher ratio of 250-to-1.
“Every student is unique in their journey during high school, college and deciding on a career path,” Arivette said. “Since the process of exploring universities and scholarships as well as applying can be very scary, confusing and stressful, this is a huge advantage for ASMSA students to receive this kind of service from their Student Success Coordinator.”
Being able to have a manageable number of students and a plan in place to allow each SSC to get to know their students better is vital as well.
“Learning as much as I can about each student I work with is extremely important so that I can help them the best ways possible,” Arivette said.
Arivette began at ASMSA in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. A few ASMSA students chose to attend classes remotely this year, but they also continue to have full access to their SSC. Arivette said it hasn’t been very different for her essentially — except for one aspect.
“[It’s] not any different from the residential students; just lots of Zoom meetings,”Arivette said.
Regardless of how she interacts with her assigned students, having a chance to have meaningful visits with them that result in the students achieving their goals is the favorite part of her job.
“Being able to not only be a part of the journey during high school when all of the students are planning for their futures but as well as getting to see students take the next steps in their academic career and professional careers,” makes her happy, she said. “Seeing students achieve their goals and dreams!”