About the Workshops

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), and the Washington College Access Network (WCAN) are teaming up for the second year of Spring Counselor Workshops across the state. This year, these free workshops will include financial aid training offered in partnership with the Washington Financial Aid Association (WFAA). These workshops are for:

• School Counselors
• Career Counselors/Specialists
• District-Level College/Career Staff 
• College Admissions Staff
• Nonprofit Organization Staff

Workshop Objectives and Outcomes

• Learn about upcoming policy and system changes in the school counseling program model around evidence-based school counseling and personalized planning. Share and strategize with regional staff that have effectively used state-wide resources for postsecondary pathways.
• Engage with regional colleagues and learn how schools and communities work together across complicated systems to improve student success and strengthen the college-going culture in schools.
• Grow with us as we delve into the world of financial aid and understand ways that students can finance their postsecondary education (including: types of financial aid, troubleshooting special circumstances and how to read award letters).

Presenters:

Sarah Weiss serves as the Associate Director of College Access and Support at the Washington Student Achievement Council. She previously served as the Director or Admission at Saint Martin's University and in several admissions roles at Southern Oregon University. She also served as the Membership Chair for the Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling. Sarah holds a BA from Willamette University and a MA in Higher Education Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Yokiko Hayashi-Saguil is a Washington state native who attended The Evergreen State College for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She started working in higher education in 2009. Her first role was as an academic advisor in a multicultural student service office at a small public college in Oregon, she then transitioned to admissions and college access work in 2012. Currently she is working for the Washington Student Achievement Council doing outreach and communications for the College Bound Scholarship. 

Christina Winstead is a Program Associate for Outreach at the Washington Student Achievement Council. She has over 15 years’ experience in higher education. Christina graduated from The Evergreen State College with her B.A. and from Seton Hall University with her M.A. in counseling and her Ed.S in professional counseling.

Jackie Ferrado is the Community Relations Manager for the Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) Program, Washington’s 529 prepaid college tuition plan. Jackie has represented the program and the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) for over 18 years presenting information, developing partnerships and fostering community relationships to ensure families have resources and education to prepare for their children’s future. Jackie’s knowledge and experience about 529 plans and saving for college has helped thousands of families get their savings started early. Jackie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Evergreen State College, where she studied Communications and Management. 

Danise Ackelson is the Program Supervisor at OSPI for School Counseling. Prior to coming to OSPI, Danise was a high school and middle school counselors, teacher and coach for 35 years. Her work at OSPI involves policy work for school counseling and guidance, along with technical assistance to school districts and collaboration with a variety of state agencies and organizations for evidence-based school counseling, college and career readiness, and social emotional supports.