District Names Director of College Readiness

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Susana Velis (third from right) poses with Dr. Autumn Boyd, exec. dir. for post-secondary outcomes; her sisters Cynthia and Hilda and parents Irma and Julian Velis; and Chief of Schools Dr. Katy Roede.

Susana ‘Susie’ Velis has accepted the Director of College Readiness position for the Aldine Independent School District. Veils will begin her new role on October 11. She has 16 years of experience in education, with most of those years assisting students transitioning to college.

Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney said, “Susana brings to this position a variety of skills and abilities that will allow her to assist high school students in successfully transitioning to adult life. She will ensure students have opportunities that foster college and career readiness skills.”

Velis said she is looking forward to the challenges and rewards of preparing students for college and career readiness. Velis is an Aldine product, having attended Oakwilde Elementary (now Worsham ES), Ruby Reed Intermediate (now Reed Academy), Grantham Middle School (now Grantham Academy), and MacArthur High School. Her mom is a janitor and crossing guard at Worsham Elementary, and one of her sisters is the librarian at MacArthur HS.

“I hope to match the best resources available to develop student talent and passion,” she said. “The main objective of the office will be to support college, career, and military readiness (CCMR) outcomes for Aldine ISD. As a former AISD grad, I know how important it is to prepare students to guarantee they have choices and opportunities today and in the future. I am honored to be part of this team.”

Her duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Support the Executive Director of Postsecondary Outcomes to ensure that Aldine ISD maximizes opportunities for students transitioning into college or careers.
• Utilize data to inform strategic support for students
• Provide districtwide leadership to ensure that external partners seamlessly fold into the fabric of Aldine ISD
• Oversee districtwide initiatives targeted at growing college and career mindsets and readiness.

Velis began her career in education in 2005 as an AVID tutor for Aldine ISD. She also worked in the Houston Admissions Center for UT-Austin as an admissions counselor. In 2008, Velis joined Texas A&M University as a regional financial aid counselor. Velis returned to Aldine ISD as a college access advisor in 2008 and joined KIPP Texas Public Schools four years later as a teacher and college counselor. In 2017, Velis joined New Caney ISD as a counselor before joining Spring Branch ISD, first as a school counselor and then as a college transition facilitator.

Velis holds a bachelors’ degree from the University of Texas-Austin and a master’s degree in counselor education/school counseling and guidance services from the University of St. Thomas.