In celebration of National School Counseling Week, CUSD Insider is showcasing profiles of the fantastic counselors we have throughout the District.
Today we are highlighting Mayra Luna, College and Career Counselor at San Juan Hills High School.
Q: How long have you worked in CUSD?
A: 3 years
Q: Describe your role in supporting student success at your school or in your department.
A: I have the unique and amazing opportunity to support students as they plan for life after high school. Much of my work centers on providing students with meaningful guidance and information about college options, career pathways, and the many opportunities available to them as they take their next steps.
Q: How long have you worked professionally in school counseling?
A: I am in my third year at CUSD and this is my first counseling job!
Q: What college degrees and professional certifications do you hold?
A: B.A. in Social Welfare and Education from UC Berkeley. M.S. in School Counseling and PPS from Cal State Long Beach.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about counseling work?
A: There are so many aspects of college counseling that I truly enjoy! What I find most rewarding about counseling work is helping students gain access to information and opportunities they may not have known were available to them. I love watching students begin to understand their options, connect the pieces between their interests and future goals, and feel more confident about their next steps. Being part of that process—when a plan starts to feel possible and a student is one step closer to the life they envision—is incredibly meaningful to me.
Q: Is there a program that CUSD utilizes that is especially beneficial to student support?
A: Students greatly benefit from their counselor’s guidance in building an academic plan through the Aeries portal. With this support, students are able to choose their classes thoughtfully, make informed decisions about their course selections for years to come, and feel confident knowing their voice is heard and valued throughout the process. The school counseling team at San Juan Hills rocks and we know how to RFTB!!! Students also greatly benefit from Futureology counselors as it opens doors for many students by providing 1:1 college counseling support, educational webinars, insightful workshops, and enriching resources. Time and again, students and families share the meaningful impact this support has had on their academic journeys.
Q: What is the one thing you would want families to know about your role in student success that they might not be aware of?
A: I’d love for families to know that college and career counselors do far more than help students complete college applications. Their work begins years before senior year and focuses on helping students understand their interests, strengths, and options so they can make informed decisions about their future. An important part of my work is guiding students and families through things like financial aid, college essays, understanding college admissions, SAT/ACT, career/major exploration, and more! By starting these conversations early, counselors help ensure that postsecondary options feel realistic, accessible, and achievable for all students, not just at the very end of high school.
