Roshanna King, a licensed professional counselor and Upward Bound counselor at Southeastern, has spent nearly two decades supporting students as they prepare for college and life beyond the classroom. In her role, she provides mental health services to high school students across several parishes, helping them navigate both academic and personal challenges.
King’s career has always been rooted in a desire to help others. “I’ve always had a passion for working with young people,” she said, reflecting on her early involvement in youth programs and her decision to study psychology at Southern University.
She began her career working with children in a mental health setting, using therapeutic recreation to support those facing emotional and behavioral challenges.
Although she briefly pursued nursing, King said she quickly realized it wasn’t the career for her. “That’s not the way I want to help,” she said. She later earned her master’s degree in counseling from Southeastern and has now worked with young people for more than 30 years.
What continues to drive her is the opportunity to see students grow. “I love seeing my former students flourish into the people that I know they could be,” King said. “Just helping them get there and achieve some of their life goals, that fulfills me.”
She added that while the job is not the highest paying, “for me, it’s priceless.”
Looking ahead, King hopes to open a nonprofit organization focused on teens, offering counseling, mentorship and recreational activities in one space. She said she wants it to serve as “a safe haven for them,” where young people can thrive and feel supported.
King also emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health within academic spaces. As a woman in academia and one of the few Black women in her role, she said creating a safe and welcoming environment is essential.
“Mental health can’t be put on the back burner,” she said, noting the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on students’ social and emotional development.
Through her work, King continues to build meaningful connections and advocate for student success both inside and outside the classroom.
