If you’ve seen Lisa Madsen walking Highland halls or visiting a classroom, you’ve likely seen Nicole Bogue there too.
Bogue, who’s rarely without her work bestie – even being disappointed that the two weren’t allowed to share their photo for this article – has loved finding a family at Highland.
She even brings her one-year-old son Cooper to the school’s daycare.
For Bogue, Highland is all about family – her own, and the one she found when she started working at the school.
“I love the culture [ at Highland] … whether it’s chatting in the hallway or collaboration on how to help a student or certain situation, everyone’s willing to help,” Bogue said.
Despite it being her first job out of college, Bogue has hit her stride as a counselor and is loving the community she’s found at Highland.
Bogue moved back to Utah from Colorado a few years ago, and she loves the mountains where she enjoys hiking, running, and other various outdoor activities. While her free time is mostly spent with her husband and son, Bogue enjoys attending basketball games where she’s converted her Olympus alumni husband to a Highland fan… quite a feat, considering the intense rivalry.
Before living in Utah for her teen years, Bogue spent most of her childhood in California. After getting her bachelor’s degree in sociology at the University of Utah, Bogue moved to Colorado to attend Denver University where she obtained a master’s degree in its school counseling program.
It took Bogue seven years to complete school, and her confusion with declaring a major while feeling lost in her numerous options, inspired her to guide student to find passions early on. While Bogue’s glad she eventually found counseling, she wants her students to avoid paying expensive fees in tuition and housing because they’re unsure what they want to do.
Growing up in a house of seven children with neither of her parents having gone to college, Bogue was the first in her family to attend university. She explains this as being a major inspiration behind her career choice.
“Navigating high school and getting to college was just brand new,” Bogue said. “I didn’t have a ton of support in doing applications or ‘what’s FAFSA?’.”
Bogue highlighted her goal as a counselor of sourcing opportunities (which she lacked herself) for students to explore interests and potential careers before diving into the much scarier and expensive college scene.
“I wanted to be a support to students that maybe didn’t have those resources,” Bogue said. “I realized I could have had most of my school paid for and now I’m in debt because I didn’t have that guidance”.
Despite feeling the anxiety that comes with counseling when she began her job, Bogue has settled into her role at Highland and is learning how to better support her students.
“I wouldn’t say the pressure I put on myself is lessened but I think there’s always a need. In the four years, I’ve just gotten a lot more comfortable and confident in what I’m doing,” Bogue said, recognizing both the pressure and importance of her role at Highland.
With a wide variation in students (levels of at home support, motivation, and socioeconomic opportunities contrasting), Bogue says, while it’s hard, it’s what makes her job enjoyable.
“People come here with varying levels of needs and personalities, and I think what makes it fun is working will all different kinds of people and finding out what resources they may need,” Bogue said.
Bogue points out she may not be the one resource a student requires, but it’s important that she knows how to find additional guidance when necessary. She highlighted this factor, while challenging, a favorite aspect of her job.
Ultimately, Bogue does everything she can to provide the best support for her students. In addition to her bestie Madsen, Bogue’s loved finding her Highland family while she’s grown as a counselor over the past four years.
