We're thrilled to introduce the newest member of our Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP) team, Halie Chauncey.
Halie is the new Academic Counselor at Chenango Forks High School, and she brings a wealth of experience and a passion for helping high school students navigate their academic and personal journeys.
Born in Pennsylvania and raised in Lisle, New York, Halie comes from a large blended family where she is the oldest of seven children. After graduating from Whitney Point High School in 2015, she pursued higher education at SUNY Broome, earning an associate degree in Liberal Arts. Her academic journey continued at Syracuse University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS).
Halie’s professional experience is as diverse as it is impressive. Starting with an internship-turned-job at the YWCA of Syracuse and Onondaga County, she worked as a case manager in transitional housing for women affected by domestic violence. Later, she served as a youth care specialist at The William George Agency, a residential facility for at-risk youth in New York. Most recently, Halie worked as a preschool teacher for CAPCO, a nonprofit early head start/head start program in Cortland, NY.
This varied background has led Halie to her new role as an academic counselor with LPP, where she’s excited to mentor high school students through individualized case management. "It's my job to support students as they set academic goals and plan for their future," she explains. "Whether they're preparing for college, trade school, military service, or entering the workforce, I'm here to provide emotional and social support, along with resources and opportunities to help them fulfill their goals."
Another part of her role includes working side-by-side with students as they volunteer in the community, which is a cornerstone of the program. These volunteer opportunities not only benefit the community, they also help the students to build confidence, and learn new skills such as communication, leadership, organization, and project management.
What drew Halie to this position? After working with various age groups, she found a particular affinity for the teenage population. "I want to create an environment that I feel I could have benefited from when I was that age," she shares. "With LPP, there's flexibility to mold the individual and overall needs of the students."
Their first impression of the LPP program is overwhelmingly positive, calling the program “a need". "The world is demanding, and having an outlet where students can express themselves without pressure is crucial. High school is a time of big decisions, and that can be overwhelming. Knowing they have extra support and resources can alleviate added stress."
When asked about the most exciting aspects of the job, Halie lights up. "Building connections and partnerships with students is something I'm genuinely excited about," she enthuses. "Watching others succeed is what encourages me to work in this career path. I aim to create a space that is welcoming and inviting to all."
Halie brings a fresh perspective to LPP, hoping to build on the foundation created by her predecessor while adding her own personal goals to expand the program. "I hope to be a place where students feel welcomed and comfortable, but understand that structure creates stability," she explains. "I'm a very positive and warm person, but I still feel that respect and understanding are what create trust. With that trust, we can form relationships that could help them flourish."
For those aspiring to become academic counselors, Halie offers some sage advice: "Be flexible. The world changes fast, and staying informed can help carry you. You can learn so much from the students; they have the 'in' on what's going on. Being able to create a foundation is vital for students. They won't tell anyone, but they do want someone to hold them accountable. It creates stability and trust. Just be a genuine, open-minded human. At the end of the day, we're all human."
We're excited to see the positive impact Halie will have on our students and the LPP program as a whole!