Her Story
About Nancy
Nancy Licona is a dedicated education professional who has worked in the field since 2010. She has served as a professional school counselor for 11 years, providing individual and group counseling focused on social-emotional, academic, and future planning needs for middle school students. Four years ago, she was elected to her local school board, where she advocates for students and families at the district level by guiding curriculum and budget decisions. Licona earned her bachelor's of arts in sociology with a minor in Spanish literature from UC San Diego after attending a K through 12 public school dual immersion program, which supported her bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish. She later obtained her master's in counseling with a PPS credential from Cal State Long Beach. She is a member of the American School Counselor Association and coordinates the Hermanitas Leadership Program at her school while volunteering as a coach for Girls on the Run and participating with Mana, the North County. Licona attributes her success to the values of hard work, honesty, kindness, responsibility, and gratitude instilled by her parents.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nancy
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my parents, and the values they instilled in me, you know, the values of hard work and work ethic. And being honest, and being kind person, being responsible, and I think the most important thing that my parents have instilled in me is the quality of a giving being grateful, having gratitude, and showing gratitude, because sometimes that is one of the things that has gotten me through my most difficult challenges, is not only focusing on my challenge, but focusing on what I have around me, and the blessings that I have, and the good things that are happening in my life, that will help me get through the challenges in life.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice that I received was one of my mentors has taught me that if there's a door that closes for you, that it just means that that door wasn't for you, and that there's another door, or other doors open for you. And so that has been something that I have always believed in, is that, there are no accidents in the universe, and that if we work hard, if something's not for us, it's not meant for us. And that the opportunities that are right for us will be available, and we have to be ready and prepared to take them when those come.
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