Mary Royal
Mary Royal
Essay Specialist
Mary hails from Western North Carolina and grew up in the foothills of Appalachia. As a dedicated secondary school counselor since 2007, Mary has an extensive background in supporting students in their pursuit and achievement of highly competitive college scholarships.
She has coordinated college application essay writing workshops, hosted guest speakers, and earned a certification in Postsecondary Advising for Special Population Students. She enjoys working with teenagers to build confidence and discover strengths.
Mary holds a BA in English from Salem College with a minor in Religion and a concentration in African American History. She has also earned a MA in Education from Western Carolina University, a K-12 School Leadership License from Appalachian State University, is a licensed Career Development Coordinator, and is a National Board Certified School Counselor.
In her spare time, her family finds her working in the yard or reading in a quiet corner. Her favorite authors include Amor Towles and Kate Quinn.