When Counseling Becomes Community: An empowering approach to student wellness

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When Lauren Rowe walks the halls of West Mifflin Area High School, she doesn't just see students. She sees futures taking shape.

As a school counselor focused on the critical transition for eighth- and ninth-grade students, Rowe has become a steady advocate and source of encouragement for teens learning to navigate high school life. Her dedication recently drew public recognition when Pittsburgh Today Live honored her with February's UPMC Community Hero Award, a tribute to her deep commitment to student wellness and community support.

"I was so appreciative and overjoyed when I learned I had been chosen," said Rowe, a soon-to-be master's in school counseling graduate of Commonwealth University. "But I also quickly realized that I was going to be on TV, which was a bit unnerving! There are so many school counselors and teachers who love working with students because they know the students who stand before them are our future. I hope I reflected that message to my peers."

Rowe certainly has.

Her daily work extends far beyond academic scheduling and college prep. She leads with empathy and innovation. One of her proudest accomplishments has been establishing a community closet at the school alongside her SAVE Promise Club members. The initiative provides groceries, clothing, toiletries, and school supplies to any student who might need a boost, reminding young people that their community cares deeply about them.

"The club members learn the importance of volunteering within their community," Rowe said. "And the students who utilize the closet know that they are supported."

Her team also runs a peer mentoring program connecting upperclassmen with incoming freshmen - a project that has changed school climate in subtle but powerful ways.

"Having the older students help the younger ones has so much value," she said. "The significance of having a mentor stays with the freshmen. We often see them return as mentors themselves when they become seniors."

This ripple of kindness, she noted, exemplifies what she hopes each student carries into adulthood … the impact of empathy, service, and support.

Before stepping into her current counseling role, Rowe worked as an art teacher. Experience she now channels into creative student engagement. Guiding freshmen through their first year of high school, she witnesses their rapid growth firsthand.

"It's amazing to see how quickly the freshmen mature in one year," Rowe said. "Hosting events to help them prepare is one of the most exciting aspects of my work."

Rowe's success, she believes, is rooted in the strong foundation she gained through Commonwealth's online school counseling program - ranked No. 1 in Pennsylvania by CounselingPsychology.org.

"The program is comprehensive and engaging," Rowe said. "The online classes worked well with my schedule, and the faculty encouraged me throughout my tenure. I felt at ease knowing they were always available to help along the way. I'm able to put so much of what I learned into my daily routine."

For Rowe, the recognition from UPMC is meaningful, but it's not the reason she does the work.

"A community is only as strong as its school district," Rowe said. "When our students feel safe and loved through the extra efforts we make, there is a true impact on the type of young adults we present to the world."

UPMC Community Hero Award

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• School Counseling

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