Her Story
About Bridget
Bridget Mantooth-Urso, PhD, serves as Director of Career Services at South University, a role she began in January 2025, while also serving as an adjunct professor. She entered the education field in 2014 after earning her M.S. in School Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. Before transitioning into higher education, she spent more than a decade as a high school counselor in Palm Beach County, including seven years at Atlantic High School in Delray Beach and two years at her alma mater, where she also served as a clinical educator for counseling interns. She later advanced into leadership as the School Counseling Program Director at the newly established Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, where she helped build the counseling team and curriculum from the ground up.
Dr. Mantooth-Urso completed her Ph.D. in Counselor Education at Florida Atlantic University in May 2026, where her doctoral research examined the impact of social determinants of health on the emotional well-being of LGBTQ young adults. She maintains professional involvement with the American Counseling Association, the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, the Florida School Counselors Association, and NACE. Her commitment to service and professional excellence has also been recognized through honors including the Above and Beyond Award in 2019 for organizing a supply drive supporting hurricane refugees and selection as an Emerging Leader in the Florida School Counseling Association’s 2023–2024 cohort.
Throughout her career, Dr. Mantooth-Urso has been guided by the tenacity and perseverance she learned from the strong women in her family. She brings those values to her work supporting students, graduates, and emerging counseling professionals, with a focus on career development, student success, mentorship, and professional growth. Her commitment to service extends beyond her professional roles through her volunteer work with her sister’s nonprofit, Keeping Inspired Dreams Sound, where she has contributed since 2013 to efforts that provide scholarships to students and educators. Through education, advocacy, mentorship, and service, she remains dedicated to creating opportunities that help others pursue their academic and professional goals.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Bridget
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the strong women who have shaped and inspired me throughout my life, particularly my mother, who was always the breadwinner for our family. Watching her work hard, overcome challenges, and remain determined taught me the importance of tenacity, perseverance, and resilience. Her example instilled in me the confidence to keep moving forward, even when faced with obstacles, and to remain committed to achieving my goals.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received came from Dr. Bridget Glass, who was a guiding force throughout my doctoral journey and an exceptional mentor. Her guidance, encouragement, and wisdom helped me navigate the challenges of pursuing my doctorate while continuing to grow professionally. Her mentorship taught me the importance of believing in myself, remaining committed to my goals, and embracing opportunities for continued growth and development.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to keep an open mind and remain receptive to the many possibilities available to you. Education and professional growth can take you in many different directions, and every career journey is unique. Opportunities may arise that you never anticipated, so it is important to trust yourself, listen to your instincts, and be willing to step outside your original plans. Sometimes, you simply have to trust your gut, take the opportunity, and see where it leads.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the field right now is the highly competitive job market for recent graduates. While there continues to be strong demand for healthcare professionals in Palm Beach County, graduates pursuing non-healthcare careers can face greater difficulty finding positions that align with their education and career goals. This challenge is particularly noticeable across South Florida, where competition for available opportunities can make the transition from education into the workforce more difficult.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are tenacity, perseverance, and resilience. Coming from a family of strong women, I learned the importance of keeping my head up, pushing through challenges, and staying focused even when the path becomes difficult. I believe in remaining committed to my goals, maintaining a positive outlook, and continuing to move forward with determination and purpose.
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