Kean University Alumna Named 2025 New Jersey School Counselor of the Year

Viviana Moncada M.A. ’19, a Kean University alumna, was named the 2025 School Counselor of the Year by the New Jersey School Counselor Association for her work supporting immigrant and underserved students at Francis A. Desmares Elementary School in Flemington, New Jersey.

“I’m proud because what I do gives meaning to my life,” said Moncada, who is now being considered for the organization’s national award. “The students feel supported, and I also hope that sharing what I'm doing will impact other counselors, just as they have helped me to grow professionally.” 

Since joining the school, Moncada has built a counseling program that serves students who are new to the country, face economic hardship or have family challenges. She began that work after earning her master’s degree in counseling from Kean in 2019.

“I’ve always wanted to make a difference, and I thought it would be meaningful to work with immigrant students,” said Moncada, who lives in Rahway but was born in Colombia. “My goal was to support them in every level of the acculturation process.”

Mary Pepe, a fellow counselor and one of the many people who recommended Moncada for the award, called her “the counselor every child deserves.”

“Viviana is a champion for creating safe, inclusive spaces and providing meaningful opportunities that help her students feel seen, valued and empowered,” Pepe said. “To know Viviana is to be inspired by her compassion and her belief in the potential of every child.”

Originally designated as a bilingual counselor, Moncada started the 2025-2026 school year as a general counselor supporting her building’s 423 students in resolving conflicts, addressing behavioral challenges and thriving socially, emotionally and academically. She also plans to continue her work hosting after-school activities for students and evening events for parents that provide guidance about the school system and navigating life challenges.

Pamela Thomas, who interned with Moncada while completing her master’s degree in counseling at Kean last year, was struck by her former supervisor’s dedication.

“Beyond her remarkable expertise, her genuinely caring and profoundly supportive nature truly set her apart,” Thomas said. “She is a fierce and tireless advocate for her students, consistently going the extra mile to ensure not only their academic success but also their emotional well-being.”

Moncada started her career in Colombia, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy and then trained teachers at a school before moving into clinical practice. She moved to the United States to be with her husband, Jaime Moncada, and when their two children were young, she worked part-time as a paraprofessional in the Rahway school district.

During those years, Moncada earned her master’s degree at Kean. She recalls feeling supported by faculty members, including Associate Professor Robert H. Kitzinger, Jr., Ph.D., LPC, who describes Moncada as “exemplifying the core values of Kean University and its Counselor Education Department.”

“Viviana was a deeply reflective, inquisitive student,” Kitzinger said. “As a professional, her calm presence and generosity of spirit are emotional anchors for everyone in the room.”

Moncada recently returned to Kean, where she’s completing post-master’s work to become a licensed professional counselor. Although Kean is more than an hour from her job, she refused to consider any other institution.

“I’m succeeding because I put my heart into my work,” she said, “but I can’t forget that I learned everything I know about the basics from Kean.”