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Union County Early College

Michael Murray, Principal

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School Counseling

The purpose of the school counseling Program is to promote success in high school and college by addressing the academic, career, personal and social development of each student. The School Counseling Program helps to create opportunities and remove barriers for each student by accepting and valuing his or her strengths and initiative.

The Early College Counselors' goal is to support each student in achieving optimal personal growth, acquiring positive social skills and values, developing independence, setting appropriate career goals and realizing the full academic potential in order to become productive citizens.

Meet Our Staff

Jeslyn McFadden, M.A., NCC, LPC Counselor - last names A-K

Cheryll Fleming, Counselor - last names L-Z

The counseling department is located in the front office. Counseling appointments for students may be scheduled by visiting the counseling or by email. The counselors are always available in cases of emergencies.

Individual Counseling

High school and college transition

Crisis management

Coping strategies

Social skills

Grief and loss

Depression

Self-harming behaviors

Stress management

Communication skills

Relationships (Family & Peers)

Substance use

Academic Counseling

Time management skills

Course schedules and selections

Problem-solving skills

Five-year academic plan

Goal setting

College and Career Counseling

Preparation for college beyond SPCC

Resume development

Career and college exploration

College and scholarship advising

College campus visits

Consultation

Parent, student, teacher conferences

Management of 504 plans

Community resource referrals

Classroom counseling lessons

Peer mediation

Parent support and communication

Testing

College preparation tests
(PSAT, SAT, PLAN, ACT)

Analyzing and interpret test results

School Profile

Confidentiality Statement

School counselors recognize their primary obligation for confidentiality is to the student but balance that obligation with an understanding of the family or guardians’ legal and inherent rights to be the guiding voice in their children’s lives (ASCA Code of Ethics).

The role of the school counselor in regards to confidentiality is:

To support the students right to privacy and protect confidential information received from students, the family, guardian and staff members

To explain the meaning and limits of confidentiality to students in developmentally appropriate terms

To provide appropriate disclosure and informed consent regarding the counseling relationship and confidentiality

To inform students and the family of the limits to confidentiality when: Student poses a danger to self or others, Court ordered disclosure, Consultation with other professionals in support of the student i.e. colleagues, supervisors, treatment teams, and other support personnel

To keep personal notes separate from educational records and not disclose their contents except when privacy exceptions exist

To seek guidance from supervisors and appropriate legal advice when their records are subpoenaed

To assert their belief that information shared by students is “confidential” and should not be revealed without the student’s consent

To adhere to all laws protecting student records, health information, and special services (i.e., HIPAA, FERPA, IDEA)

Grade-Level Info

9th and 10th Graders
Freshman Year
- Make sure to Step Up Your Game from Middle School to High School.
- Develop good study habits and work hard to create a strong academic record.
- Get to know your teachers, principals, and counselors.... they are here to help you.
- Get involved in extracurricular activities inside and outside of school.
- This year you will create a CFNC account. Use CFNC to explore careers.
Freshmen College Conferences

Early College Liasion Ms. Sanders is meeting with students and parents this Spring to discuss the college side of the Early College Program. Parents and students are requested to attend the conference together. If you have children in multiple grades, you are welcome to sign up for all children in one day, just place their name in the sign-up spot. If you have any questions, please to call Dia Sanders at 704-290-5888

Sophomore Year
- This is the year to pass all sections of the RISE and to start taking college classes.
- Work hard to keep up your grades and communicate all concerns to your counselor and college liaison.
- Stay involved in extracurricular activities inside and outside of school.
- Starting exploring careers and colleges using CFNC.
- Take the PreACT test in the fall to practice for the ACT, which you will take in eleventh grade.
10th Grade PLAN Test

All tenth graders are required to take this test. For more information visit the Testing Page.
11th Graders
Tips for Junior Year
- Work hard in high school and college classes to maintain a strong GPA.
- Meet with your high school counselor and college liaison to review your academic record.
- Keep involved in extracurricular activities and take on leadership roles.
- Review four-year college entrance requirements and visit college websites.
- Attend College Fairs to explore future plans.
- Take the PSAT in October in order to qualify for National Merit & Achievement Programs.
- Take the statewide ACT test in March.
Junior College Conferences

Early College Liasion Ms. Sanders is meeting with students and parents this Spring to discuss the college side of the Early College Program. Parents and students are requested to attend the conference together. If you have children in multiple grades, you are welcome to sign up for all children in one day, just place their name in the sign-up spot. If you have any questions, please to call Dia Sanders at 704-290-5824

Junior Seminar

Junior Seminar is designed for third year Early College students during the spring semester. The seminar will include weekly check-ins, CFNC career and college curriculum, individual enrichment assignments, group and one-on-one guidance from counselors and guest speakers. The goal of Junior Seminar is to plan and prepare UCEC students for high school graduation, completion of an associates degree and transition to a four-year university. Towards the middle of the semester, students will have the opportunity to visit two North Carolina universities, one public and one private.
12th Graders
Senior Class Meetings

All SENIORS are required to attend grade level meetings and senior meetings to stay in contact with UCEC.

How do I prepare for college this year?

Prepare to take the SAT and ACT in the spring
- Take a preparation class
- Study out of an SAT/ACT prep book
- Visit websites like collegboard.com and actstudent.org for test prep materials
- Register online for the SAT and ACT
- Research colleges and come up with at least 5 colleges of interest
- Visit college campuses when available and attend college fairs
Individual Senior Meetings

Counselors will hold individual parent and student senior meetings the month of January. Letters regarding the meetings will be mailed home and emailed to students. Each parent and student will need to go online to schedule a time to meet with their counselor and complete the questionnaire to discuss at the meeting.
- UCEC College Counseling Questionnaire
Handouts Shared At Senior Meetings
13th Graders
The counseling department will work hard to help every student prepare for life after Early College. Check the website often for updated information.
Graduate Recognition and Signing Day Awards Day
- TBD
Colleges Visiting UCEC

Each year, college representatives are invited to visit Union County Early College and speak with students about their school and the college application process. All students are invited to attend the information sessions. Some information sessions are only for graduating students. Students do not have to sign up to attend. College visit sign up

College Application and Scholarship Workshops

The counseling department has set aside times to assist students with college applications or just for students to have a scheduled time to sit down and work on college applications or scholarships. At least one counselor will be available to answer questions or assist you with completing college applications. Sign-up will take place through Sign Up Genius.

Schedule Your Time-Spring College Scholarship Workshops

CFNC FAFSA Day

TBD. Sign up on CFNC to attend FAFSA Day and receive help from professionals with completing the FAFSA. Remind your parents to file their taxes as early as possible so you can complete the FAFSA accurately and early! Registration begins in October. View college application tips.

Some college applications ask a question about waiving rightsE Find out if you should select "do waive" or "do not waive."

Apply to multiple colleges online at one time through The Common Application and CFNC.

Requesting Transcripts from UCEC
- Please submit a Request For Permission To Release Records to have on file.
- Complete a UCEC Transcript Request Form
- The first 3 transcripts are free and each additional transcript is $3.00.
- Transcripts for scholarships are always free.
Requesting Transcripts from SPCC
- Make sure to request a copy of your SPCC transcript to submit with all college applications.
- Transcript requests must be submitted in writing using the SPCC Transcript Request Form, which can be obtained online at www.spcc.edu. Hard copies of forms are available in the Student Success Office.
- If you took any classes through CPCC or another institution you will need to also request those transcripts from the specific institution.
Requesting Recommendation Letters
- View the Recommendation Checklist to help with requesting recommendations letters.
- Complete a Teacher Recommendation Request Form to submit to teachers who are writing recommendation letters.
- Allow teachers and community members at least three weeks to complete the recommendation letter.
- Provide a resume or UCEC Brag Sheet teachers, counselors or community members who are writing recommendation letters.

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