Influential Woman · Educational Leadership
Elizabeth House
Director of School Counseling Services and Student Support Services, Greenville County Schools in South Carolina
Greenville, SC
Her Story
About Elizabeth
Elizabeth House serves as Director of School Counseling Services and Student Support Services for Greenville County Schools, the largest school district in South Carolina and the 44th largest in the nation. In this role, she oversees a little over 326 school counselors at 106 different educational facilities. House has 16 years of experience in the field of educational leadership. She began her career in education as a coach and mentor, particularly for young women and female athletes, before earning a master's degree in educational leadership and school counseling. She progressed through roles including director of school counseling for two of the largest high schools in the state and a district leadership position focused on school counseling and college and career readiness. House conducts leadership trainings and professional development in mentor and leadership coaching throughout South Carolina. Her educational background includes a degree from Limestone University, a degree from the University of Alabama, and she is about to finish her EDS at Clemson University. She is a member of SCASA, PSSCA, ASCA, and ACES. Among her notable achievements, House helped secure a $5.8 million grant with Clemson University and the Department of Education to create a pipeline for school counselors, resulting in 48 new positions and fully funded master's degrees. For this work, she received the Southeastern Behavioral Health Champion Award. She is actively involved with Safe Harbor and the Julia Valentine Center through the Relationship Project (REP) for domestic violence education. House attributes her success to her family, particularly her parents who raised her on a farm with a strong work ethic and empowered her to be authentic and find her voice.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Elizabeth
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from my family, especially my father and mother who always pushed me to be true to myself and find my voice without hiding who I am. I was raised on a farm with a strong work ethic, and my dad empowered his three girls to have every opportunity, teaching us that leadership is about acknowledging what you can do and how to get there. Being visible and authentic has been key, and I carry that into making space for others at the table.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Lead by example by staying strong in your beliefs and values, holding your head high even through bumps in the road. You represent more than yourself, and that can feel heavy, but surrounding yourself with others lifts the burden. Every time you stay true, you help other women envision what they can become, and it's important to show young women that leadership roles are possible.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
It can be challenging to lead without losing the relational qualities that made you a good leader, staying purpose-driven while setting boundaries. From a female standpoint, it can be tough to balance tone - not too direct but direct enough - especially coming from an athletic background where teamwork is valued, while threading professional and personal identity without seeming abrupt. Yet opportunities exist in making space for others at the table and helping the next generation believe they belong there too.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being true to myself and using what got me here without going away from who I am. Ensuring the goal of impacting youth, communities, and families remains, always asking what is the purpose of this and how it helps someone else. Putting my best foot forward so others around me can do the same, remembering authenticity and service.
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