Hitchcock ISD Board of Trustees approve hirings of Hitchcock High School Student Support Counselor and Dean of Students for 2023-24 school year

The Hitchcock ISD Board of Trustees recently approved the hirings of Dr. Cynthia Coronado as the Student Support Counselor and Philip Salazar as the Dean of Students at Hitchcock High School for the 2023-24 school year.

Sensing a need for more personalized support, Hitchcock ISD took its sole counselor position at the high school from years past and essentially split the position in half, hiring Coronado to focus solely on student support and mental health wellbeing, and Salazar to provide support services related to post high school plans such as entering the workforce, military opportunities, college applications, scholarships, financial aid and more.

“We are excited to welcome both Dr. Coronado and Mr. Salazar to Hitchcock ISD,” said Superintendent Travis Edwards. “Our goal by having two people now instead of one, is to provide our students with more support in the specific areas they’re needing it. This will allow students to receive undivided attention and care from each person.”

Coronado holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from the University of Texas at Pan American, a Master of Science in counseling and a Master of Science in educational leadership from the University of Houston at Clear Lake (UHCL) and a Doctorate in educational leadership from UHCL.

Prior to her new role with HISD, Coronado has held various teaching and counseling positions at area school districts and therapy clinics, including Pasadena ISD and Clear Creek ISD. Additionally, Coronado currently teaches graduate courses in clinical mental health and certified school counseling at UHCL.

With more than 20 years of education and experience combined, Coronado’s primary purpose will be to provide support and counseling services to all students at the high school.

“I am so blessed to be a new member of the Hitchcock ISD family,” said Coronado. “Supporting the social and emotional needs of our students, faculty and staff, and community will be my top priority.”

Salazar joins HISD after most recently serving as the campus principal at Somerville High School and DAEP.

Salazar holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Houston, a Master of Education in counseling from Sam Houston State University and a Master of Education in school administration from Lamar University.

Prior to his new role with HISD, Salazar has worked in education for nearly 20 years, with stops at Cypress Fairbanks ISD, Conroe ISD, Clear Creek ISD, Manor ISD and Dickinson ISD along the way. He has served in various aspects including teaching, counseling, and in administrative roles such as director, assistant principal, and principal.

“I am honored to join the family and rich tradition of Hitchcock High School,” said Salazar. “As Dean of Students I am excited to meet all the new and returning bulldogs. The 2023-24 school year is going to be a great year to continue building a championship culture in the classroom and beyond.”

HitchcockISDBoardofTrusteesapprovehiringsofStudentSupportCounselorandDeanofStudentsfor2023-24schoolyear1.pdf