School Counseling

Welcome to the NLHSMMC School Counseling Department!

Located on the first floor, the School Counseling department at New London High School Multi-Magnet Campus is here to assist students and parents with any of their academic, career, and social/emotional needs! Every NLHSMMC student is assigned to one of our six outstanding School Counselors. Students may make appointments with their counselors during study periods, before and after school, or by special arrangement. Students can schedule appointments by scanning the QR Code found throughout the building.

MEET OUR COUNSELORS

Your counselor is assigned by grade and last name. Reach out any time — translators are available when needed.

Amanda Ahlcrona

Director of CounselingGrades 10–12Last Names S–Z

✉ AhlcronaA@newlondon.org

I have been a School Counselor at NLHS since 2013, after earning both my undergraduate degree and master’s degree from the University of Connecticut. I am a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and maintain a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential, which I practice outside of my school counseling role. I am dedicated to supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional growth and I strive to create an inclusive, welcoming, and safe environment where all students feel valued. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, spending time outside, and cheering on my two children at their sporting events. 

Jennifer Dziekan

Grades 10–12Last Names A–F

✉ DziekanJ@newlondon.org

After graduating from the University of Connecticut, I moved to New York. It was there I attended Fordham University earning a master’s degree in education. I consistently encourage students to challenge themselves and to set high goals while developing a post-secondary plan that is the best fit for them. Helping soon-to-be first-generation college students realize their college dream is one of my favorite parts of the job. While not from the New London area, my father retired from Electric Boat and my mother was a docent at several historical houses now functioning as museums in New London. My husband and I have spent many summers boating in and along Long Island Sound. I have three adult children and enjoy spending my free time playing golf and reading.  

Kasimu Fletcher

Grade 9

✉ FletcherK@newlondon.org

I am a passionate school counselor committed to helping students discover their strengths, purpose, and potential. As a proud graduate of New London High School, I was part of three state championship football teams and was later inducted into the school’s Football Hall of Fame. I continued my football career at Sacred Heart University and University of Connecticut, experiences that helped shape my values of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. I earned both my undergraduate degree and a master’s in education from American Public University System, further strengthening my commitment to education and student development. In my spare time, I enjoy fishing, which allows me to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the simple moments in life. 

Wilson Lima

Grades 10–12Last Names G–Md

✉ LimaW@newlondon.org

After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in School Counseling from Southern Connecticut State University, my ambitions led me to New London, where I am a dedicated school counselor committed to supporting students and their families with equity, compassion, and unconditional care. My approach centers on helping every student feel seen, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential both academically and personally. Outside of my professional role, I enjoy spending time with my family, staying active through soccer and coaching, and I love exploring new places through traveling and camping. 

Jennifer Occhionero

Grades 10–12Last Names Me–R

✉ OcchioneroJ@newlondon.org

I am a proud alumna of New London High School and a dedicated School Counselor holding a 6th Year Certification in Educational Leadership. I am passionate about youth development and discovered my love for working with students while serving as a paraprofessional immediately after college. Since then, I have worked with teenagers in various capacities, consistently fostering growth, confidence, and success in young people. In addition to my professional accomplishments, I am a devoted mom who enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, baking, and embracing new experiences. I am committed to lifelong learning and personal growth , which reflects both my leadership style and my dedication to the students and communities I serve. 

Olivia Santana

Grades 6–8

✉ SantanaO@newlondon.org

I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Eastern Connecticut State University and my master’s degree in School Counseling from Southern Connecticut State University. Outside of school, I love spending time with my family, thrifting for vintage pieces, and curling up with a good book—right now I’m completely obsessed with the A Court of Thorns and Roses series! I feel incredibly grateful to spend my workdays supporting the age group I’m most passionate about: middle schoolers. Being part of their growth during such an important time in their lives is truly rewarding. 

What Guides Us

Professional school counselors provide a wide range of services in schools, based on individual student needs and student interests. The New London High School Counseling Program is an integral part of the total educational experience through which students prepare for meaningful and rewarding lives as productive members of a changing society. Throughout the year, counselors implement lessons in the classroom and meet with students in all grade levels for academic, social, and emotional issues. School Counselors also provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at school.  

 Counseling Services focus on three main aspects of development: 

Academic - Academic Counseling

College and Career - College and career awareness, exploration, and planning services

Personal/Social - Social, emotional counseling services to students and their families

Services designed to meet these goals include: 

Individual Planning

A Developmental Curriculum

Teacher and Parent Consultation

In collaboration with teachers, administrators, school personnel, parents, community services, and other educational institutions, school counselors aid students as they navigate their high school experience and prepare for the challenges of the future. 

Each student, in cooperation with parents and school counselor, creates a four-year Student Success Plan (SSP). The four-year plan is reviewed annually in small groups and individually to consider past performance, plan for the future, and to oversee the steps necessary to form and achieve each student’s personal goals. 

And we are proud to be part of your child’s high school journey and are committed to supporting their academic, social-emotional, and post-secondary development every step of the way. High school is a time of significant growth, exploration, and preparation for the future, and we are here to help guide students—and their families—through it all. 

We recognize the important role families play in a student’s success. Whether it’s navigating academic challenges, planning for college or careers, or addressing personal concerns, we value collaboration and open communication with parents and guardians. 

We encourage you to reach out to your child’s school counselor at any time with questions or concerns. Counselors are available by email or phone, and translators are available when needed. 

Your partnership is important to us, and we look forward to working together to support your child’s continued growth and success. 

What We Have to Offer 

The New London High School Multi-Magnet Campus offers a challenging curriculum including:  

Nine Advanced Placement courses. AP courses offer a college-level curriculum and are accepted at many colleges and universities.  
UCONN Early College Experience courses allowing students to earn transferable college credits while a high school student 
Project Lead The Way-these courses (engineering and biomedical) are offered in a four-course sequence focus on STEM fields and train students in real world skills and focus on career readiness.  
We boast partnerships with Connecticut College, Mitchell College, Three Rivers Community College, and UConn Avery Point.

Additionally, we are a RISE high school. RISE high schools work together to ensure all students experience success as they transition to, through, and beyond high school by using data to pinpoint needs, form hypotheses, and pursue ideas to advance student achievement. Partner schools have improved Grade 9 promotion rates while also decreasing subgroup gaps and increasing school-wide graduation and college access rates. 

Student Outcomes 

The RISE Network’s focus on key transitions—navigating the middle to high school transition and preparing for post-secondary success—has yielded positive results. 

Improved On-Track Achievement: Grade 9 on-track rates have improved by 15 percentage points network-wide from 67% to 82%.

Higher Graduation Rates: Four-year high school graduation rates have increased by 12 points from 77% to 89%. Meanwhile, statewide graduation rates have remained relatively flat.

Increased College Readiness: College-readiness rates for students in Grades 9 through 12 is up 8 points from 26% to 34%. High school GPA (B’s or better or 3.0+ unweighted GPA) is one of the strongest predictors of college enrollment and completion.

Higher College Access Rates: More students are accessing college opportunities. FAFSA completion rates are up 14 points from 51% to 65%. FAFSA unlocks resources to make college a more attainable option.

Our Community

New London has a proud work ethic and rich maritime history with many local opportunities for our students whether it’s a world class education at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Connecticut College, or UConn’s thriving Avery Point campus.  Students seeking opportunities farther from home have been accepted at many of the nation’s most rigorous colleges and universities. Many students choose to begin their college career at Three Rivers Community College taking advantage of the Tuition- Free Program. Some students will graduate with thirty college credits while others will leave with a job offer at General Dynamics Electric Boat. With community support, over $300,000 in scholarships and awards were awarded to the Class of 2025.  

We are educators, artists and musicians, doctors, lawyers, welders and electricians- and everything in between.  

We are green and gold, and we are everywhere. We are “The Whalers.” 

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School Counseling