If you hear laughter echoing through the hallways of St. Edward, there’s a good chance it’s coming from the Student Services office. Ms. Tiffany Harrell, St. Edward’s new school counselor, has only recently joined the community, but she’s already bringing warmth, energy, and a bright smile to campus.
Before arriving at St. Edward, Ms. Harrell spent over ten years building her counseling career at schools such as KIPP Chicago and Alain Locke Charter School. Her time in education has been marked by dedication and innovation – while at KIPP, she even created a metric to measure environmental factors, helping school leaders identify which students might benefit from additional support. While she loved her time at Alain and KIPP, she found that working with highschoolers has always been her favorite part of the job. Her choice to join St. Edward was guided by two things: location and faith. “It’s close to home, and I love the faith-based education here. It felt like the perfect fit.”
Her passion for education began early. A Chicago native, Ms. Harrell graduated from the City Colleges of Chicago (Harold Washington) in 2012, then from the University of Illinois Chicago in 2014, where she also pledged Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and served on the UIC Student Advisory Board. During that time, she was an AmeriCorps member (2012-2014) and completed an internship at Chicago Collegiate Charter School, a progressive new charter school on the city’s South Side. She went on to earn her master’s degree at just 25 years old from Northeastern Illinois University in 2016.
While Ms. Harrell’s résumé is impressive, her personality is what truly stands out. She radiates positivity and knows how to connect with people. A former cheerleader, she brings that same enthusiasm and encouragement to her work today. Her students describe her as approachable, kind, and full of life-a counselor who listens just as much as she laughs.
Outside of school, Ms. Harrell leads a full and joyful life. As a mom of four boys, her house is always buzzing with energy. When she does find quiet moments, she enjoys going for walks, making pottery and traveling. Italy is one of the many places on her travel wish list, “I would love to go one day” she said.
At the heart of everything she does is a passion for helping students grow into confident, capable adults. She’s especially excited to expand opportunities like internships and career exploration programs, ensuring that all St. Edward students have access to experiences that prepare them to become the 21st-century leaders and skilled workers of tomorrow. With her warmth, energy, and unwavering commitment, Ms. Harrell is already making a big impact at St. Edward. Whether she’s guiding students through academic choices, helping them plan their next steps, or simply sharing a laugh in the hallway, one thing is certain-her door is always open, and she’s ready to cheer students on every step of the way.
