For high school seniors across the country, the wait is finally over. After months of filling out applications, writing essays, and nervously refreshing their email inboxes, students are holding their breath and hoping for the acceptance letter that could change their lives. They’ll share the news with friends, family, perhaps even post a reaction video on TikTok. And after all the chaos settles, students are likely to share the news with someone who was a catalyst for their success in the application process and will be their greatest asset as they begin to apply for scholarships, their school counselor.
Eboni Hodge, ‘07 M.Ed. Educational Psychology, is one of those counselors. Whether her impact is made in a student’s personal or academic life, she’s a natural motivator with a legacy that is a testament to her positive influence. This is why she is a two-time nominee and now the 2023 Nevada School Counselor of the Year.
The Power of Positive Influences
It was always Eboni’s goal to have a career that involved helping others. While it wasn’t her initial choice, the idea of working in education wasn’t foreign. Eboni’s mom was an administrative assistant with the magnet programs for Oakland public schools and her paternal great-grandfather was a long-time administrator.
It was under the guidance of an amazing college and scholarship counselor at Oakland Technical High School that her career path became more clear. Mrs. Rivera-Gurley, much like Mrs. Hodge, led by example. By making herself available to answer young Eboni’s endless questions and assisting her with all her scholarship applications, making college financially attainable, her graciousness left a lasting impression.
Eboni didn't just take the guidance Mrs. Rivera-Gurley had to offer, she paid it forward by sharing it with her peers. She quickly found she really enjoyed working with the high school’s counseling department. As a student who benefited from the resources and encouraged other students to do the same, Eboni unintentionally set out on a path to becoming a counselor herself.
Forging a Clear Path
In her sophomore and junior years of college, everything came together. Eboni knew without a doubt that she wanted to be a school counselor and therapist. She now holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology, a Master of Arts in counseling psychology and finally completed a Master of Education in educational psychology here at UNLV.
During her time on campus, she collaborated and learned alongside peers who she is now proud to call colleagues. In true Eboni fashion, just receiving her master's wasn’t enough. In gratitude for her time here as a student, she reinvests in the community by serving as a site supervisor for school counselor interns from UNLV.
Eboni balances academics, motherhood, and her career, in her current role. She served as a psychiatric caseworker, juvenile probation officer, and family services specialist before finally becoming a CCSD professional school counselor, where she has served more than 14 years.
Cultivating Growth and Achievement
By advocating for resources like the College and Career Center at Legacy High School, Eboni ensured that recruiters and students would have a dedicated space to exchange information about post-secondary pathways. Uniquely as the current college and career counselor Eboni allows students to diligently weigh their options, including military and trade school enrollment. She encourages her students to set goals and celebrates their achievements with great pride. Her most recent project was to implement a display case that recognizes Legacy HS seniors and highlights their post-secondary choices.
Eboni has supported students through hundreds of college and financial aid applications, with one of her students securing the highly coveted Bill and Melinda Gates scholarship. Two of this year’s seniors were accepted into Ivy League schools, Penn State and Yale. She has seen countless first-generation students forge new paths and saluted others as they pursued careers in the military.
It was inevitable that she would eventually be recognized as a leader in her field. Of course, for one as humble as Eboni nothing is ever assumed. Mrs. Hodge recalls, “I was in complete shock and tears because it means a lot when your colleagues truly see you and acknowledge what you do for students and families.”
Leaving a Legacy Beyond Legacy HS
Not much has changed since being awarded the title and representing Nevada at the national celebration in Washington, DC. Eboni continues to maintain a healthy work-life balance and looks forward to achieving more of her personal and professional goals. She plans to get Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision, enjoy good food with family and friends, continue to make Tik-Tok videos with her daughter, and embark on more solo trips.
Eboni’s legacy is a testament to her kindness and belief in her students. Her tenacious and caring spirit is felt by everyone around her. Former student Chanel Davidson is now a fellow high school college counselor. “I looked up to Mrs. Hodge not only as a counselor but also as a strong black woman with a successful career,” said Chanel. “Today, my goal is to give my students the same love and encouragement Mrs. Hodge gives her students.”
Relationships like this, baby shower and wedding invitations are proof of the lasting impact she has had on the lives of many. Her goal to help others in everything she does has been realized ten times over. The College of Education celebrates her and her story and the legacy she continues to build at Legacy HS and across the Las Vegas Valley.