Academics

College Counseling

St. Agnes challenges young women through exceptional academic preparation and transformational experiences to lead with integrity, joy and a commitment to social justice. These pillars help guide our mission in the college counseling department. Through transparency and collaboration, we seek to provide age-appropriate conversations surrounding the college application process and post-secondary plans.

Department Philosophy :

We seek to inspire students to lead the way as they steer their own college search, exploring interests, reflecting on their values, finding their own voice and where they fit.

Beginning in the spring of Sophomore year, students are assigned a college counselor who will begin advising them on their class schedules and embark on college application conversations.

Junior year brings a more in-depth college counseling program, including Junior parent meetings, one on one advising as well as our Junior Family presentation in the fall.

Senior year we walk alongside students as they lead the journey through the college admissions process with programming including Senior Family Night; one on one advising and senior workshops offered in the summer.

Our college counseling team has a collective 80 years in higher education academic advising, college admissions and college admissions counseling and we strive to make the college search and the college application process thoughtful, individualized and truly valuable to our students and families.

School Profile 2023-2024

Meet the Team

List of 6 members.

Lesley Watkins

Director of College Counseling

(713) 219-5494

Bio
Lesley Watkins joins SAA after serving as college counselor at Incarnate Word Academy. Prior to IWA, she served as the college counselor with YES Prep Public Schools. Working in the education field for over 11 years, she has worked on both the college and secondary sides of the desk. Prior to her career in college counseling, Lesley worked in academic advising for undergraduate students at The University of Houston.

Originally from New Jersey, she earned her undergraduate degree in sport studies from Towson University and her master’s degree in educational psychology and research from the University of Memphis. Mrs. Watkins loves to watch young women take the exciting journey towards planning their future; knowing that they are capable of taking on the world. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her husband, Trey, and their son, Cameron.
Danielle Washington

Associate Director of College Counseling

(713) 219-5440

Bio
In 2021, Danielle Washington joined the St. Agnes Academy as the Associate Director of College Counseling. In her 11 years in education, she has worked in public and charter schools in various capacities (teaching, counseling, and academic advisor), in the undergraduate advising office at University of Missouri-KC, Houston ISD’s Career & Technical Education Department, and as Founding Director of College Counseling at YES Prep Public Schools.

Mrs. Washington graduated from the University of Missouri-KC with a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts. She was a sprinter for the University of Missouri-KC’s Track and Field Team. Mrs. Washington holds a master's degree in education administration from the University of Missouri-KC. Mrs. She is excited to help students find the best fit for them and to make their college planning process interesting and fun.

Outside of work, her favorite activity is working out and spending time with her husband, Gilbert, and their daughter, Gia. Danielle is captivated with the opportunity to inspire young women in the greater Houston area.
Zakiya Keys Nguyen

College Counselor

(713) 219-5444

Bio
Zakiya Keys Nguyen joined the SAA family after serving the Houston Independent School District for over 8 years. During her time at HISD, Zakiya worked as a Program Manager with EMERGE, focusing her support on high-achieving, first generation students from underrepresented backgrounds. Prior to her time with EMERGE, Zakiya has also worked in college readiness programs with Texas A&M University and Texas Southern University.

Zakiya was born in Nebraska but in 2005 she found her home in Houston. She attended Texas A&M University as a Psychology major and served as the President of a multicultural sorority, bolstering her love for diversity and cultural awareness. She is excited to continue her work supporting young women, and she finds joy in empowering students to recognize their potential and helping them reflect on how they can explore their identity and values in college.

When she isn’t serving her students, Zakiya is spending time with her husband, Bao, their daughter, Zoe, and their three pets. She also enjoys journaling and writing fiction stories.
Rob Mooring

College Counselor

(713) 219-5447

Bio
Rob Mooring is starting his 78^h year as a College Counselor at St. Agnes. He spent three years as a College Counselor at YES Prep Public Schools, including one year as Director of College Counseling and Alumni at YES Prep East End. Prior to YES Prep, Rob spent three years as an admissions counselor at Pepperdine University. He and his wife Stephanie have two kids, a dog, and a bunny, all of whom they adore.
Molly Teague

College Counselor

(713) 219-5443

Bio

Molly Teague has been with St. Agnes since July of 2021 but has had a lengthy career in higher education. She worked for almost five years as the Assistant Director of Admissions at her alma mater, Hollins University, before coming to Houston to begin working as a college counselor with a local charter school district. During her time in education, Mrs. Teague has dedicated her career to empowering the students she works with to believe in their dreams and see their full potential. She is overjoyed to be working with the young women of St. Agnes because she knows firsthand the benefits of an all-women’s educational model and is so excited to be part of this community in support of your students.

Outside of college counseling, Mrs. Teague loves live music, spending time in the mountains of her home state of Virginia, and building a life with her husband Kennan and dog Daisy. She enjoys writing, cooking, and tending to her small collection of house plants.
Susan Maher

College Counseling Administrative Assistant

(713) 219-5441

Bio
Susan attended Lamar University and her daughter is a St. Agnes Academy class of 2001 graduate. As a parent, Susan served as SAA Booster Club President 2000-2001. Susan joined the St. Agnes faculty and staff team in 2005, serving as the Attendance Associate. In 2008, she moved to College Counseling as the Administrative Assistant. Susan involvements at SAA include Assistant Varsity Tennis Coach 2005-2011, continues to serve as a Servant Leadership Advisor, Civitas Co-Leader and has completed the Safe Listener training. In her spare her biggest joy is her three grandchildren.