Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

JON MASON Radford University Class of ‘22

A 2001 graduate of John Battle High School, Jon Mason initially pursued a career in behavioral health, working for nearly a decade with Family Preservation Services and other behavioral health programs through Highlands Community Services. But, with several family ties to the education field, he had always felt a tug towards working in the school system. “I had thought about it for years, wanting to go back and get my master’s and become a school counselor,” he said. “But timing and costs always seemed to get in the way.” In 2019, Jon took the leap and enrolled in Radford University’s school counseling program through the Higher Education Center, balancing his studies with work. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he was laid off from his position just a few months into pursuing the program. Looking back, Jon views the layoff as a blessing. “If anything, being laid off made me determined to work harder,” he said. Just a year into his graduate program, Jon was hired provisionally as the school counselor at Valley Institute Elementary School in Bristol.

He graduated in 2022 with a masters degree in school counseling and now serves as an integral part of the Valley Institute Elementary school community. In addition to his counseling work, Jon also coaches the varsity soccer team at John Battle High School, where he once played. “I’ve worked with kids for years, and being able to coach at John Battle where I played myself is a dream come true,” he said. His love for coaching soccer was sparked when he volunteered to coach a youth team years ago, which led to a long-standing involvement with local sports. “It’s nice because I get to help kids, both in school and on the field,” he said. “It feels like the perfect balance.” Jon credits much of his success to the support he received from his family and the convenience of the Higher Education Center, which allowed him to achieve his goals without leaving the area. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to go to school so close to home,” he said. “It made a huge difference in my life. It’s great to be able to stay here with my family and still pursue my career goals.”

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Great People, Greater Stories

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