Olivia Morales
Olivia Morales is the Director of College Counseling at George Washington Carver High School in New Orleans, part of the Collegiate Academies network. She has dedicated over a decade to education, beginning her career in 2013 as a history teacher in the Bay Area, where she specialized in project-based learning. After visiting New Orleans and falling in love with the city, Olivia moved from Oakland in 2017 and found her calling at Carver High School, a historically Black high school, where she initially taught juniors and seniors before transitioning full-time into college counseling.
Drawing on her own family’s immigrant experience—her parents and grandparents came from Mexico—Olivia has a deep appreciation for the transformative power of education. Many of her family members were educators and administrators, which inspired her lifelong commitment to supporting students in achieving academic success. At Carver, she works closely with scholars whose families have attended the school for generations, ensuring that college remains an accessible and viable pathway for historically underserved students. Her approach is “radically college-first,” emphasizing equitable access to multiple postsecondary opportunities while minimizing student debt and supporting persistence after graduation.
Beyond her work at Carver, Olivia collaborates across the Collegiate Academies network to expand college-access programming across five high schools, mentoring college counselors and success coaches. She has been recognized nationally for her impact, including being named among Education Insider’s Top 10 Directors of College Counseling for 2026 and receiving the Colleges That Change Lives Counselor award for 2026. Olivia holds a Master of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and continues to advocate for first-generation college students and equitable access to higher education.
• University of California, Santa Cruz - M.A.
• Top 10 Directors of College Counseling 2026 by Education Insider Magazine
• Colleges That Change Lives Counselor 2026
• NACAC (National Counselors Career and Counseling Attainment Network)
• NOLA CCAN (New Orleans College and Career Attainment Network)
• Coach for Gay Men's Rugby Team in New Orleans
• Tree Planting on Campus
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to surrounding myself with people who share my vision and values. Collaborating with individuals who are equally committed energizes me and reinforces my purpose. At the core of everything I do are the goals of my students—keeping their success at the center of my work drives me each day. Being part of a network like Collegiate Academies, which aligns with my values, has been invaluable, and my focus on making college accessible to historically underserved students continues to fuel my passion and dedication.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering education is to intentionally create and nurture a strong community and seek out mentors. In environments that can feel isolated, it’s easy to become burnt out if you try to go it alone. I was fortunate to be connected with supportive colleagues, and that network made all the difference. While women make up the majority of educators and demonstrate incredible leadership, their contributions are often underrecognized. Seek out organizations that will support your growth, provide equitable leadership opportunities, and truly value your contributions—this support is essential for sustaining both your impact and your passion.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in education is the risk of burnout when educators lack strong networks and supportive communities. I was fortunate to have mentors and colleagues who kept me connected, but in more isolated environments, it’s all too easy to feel overwhelmed. Another ongoing challenge is ensuring that historically underserved students have access to college and can persist despite the barriers of affordability and student debt.
At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities. Within our network at Collegiate Academies, we are working to standardize college-access practices across all five high schools and build capacity so that every scholar has a pathway to higher education. The model we’ve developed has the potential to be replicated in other schools and networks, creating broader impact and opening doors for more students. I’m motivated by the chance to scale this work and make meaningful change for kids both inside and outside our network.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me most, both in my work and personal life, are growth, ownership, and joy. I’ve stayed at Collegiate Academies because these values are central to the organization’s culture. I believe in always seeking opportunities to grow, learn, and improve, and I approach my work with a sense of ownership and accountability. Joy is equally essential—finding joy in collaboration and in serving students energizes me every day. Being part of a community that shares these values also inspires and motivates me, and keeping the goals of our students at the center of everything I do is what drives my passion and commitment.
Locations
George Washington Carver High School
New Orleans, LA 70125