Staff

 

Malinda Jean Baptiste, Executive Director

Responsibilities: Accounting, Membership, Newsletter, Website, Board Support, Partnerships & Alliances, Oversees all Association Operations



Email:  malinda.jeanbaptiste@neschoolcounselor.org

Malinda Jean Baptiste is NSCA's new executive director effective July 1, 2025 and previously served as an Assistant Executive Director for the Nebraska School Counselor Association since 2023.  She is passionate about advancing the association's mission to support and empower school counselors across the state.  As Executive Director, Malinda is committed to enhancing professional development opportunities and advocating for the needs of school counselors in Nebraska.

Malinda brings nearly 15 years of experience as a school counselor, currently serving as the School Counseling Specialist for the Nebraska Department of Education.  Her extensive background in school counseling and educational leadership underscores her deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the field.

Her affiliation with NSCA spans over a decade,during which she has held several influential roles, including communication chair, Academy committee chair, President, and Assistant Executive Director.  Malinda was also instrumental in the transition to a Policy Governance board of directors, demonstrating her dedication to shaping the future of the organization and improving governance practices.

With a passion for supporting school counselors and fostering professional growth, Malinda is excited to continue her work with NSCA, driving initiatives that benefit the school counseling profession and the students it serves.
 

Katie Cameron, Assistant Executive Director

Responsibilities: Elementary Conference, Advocacy and Government Relations, Scholarship, Podcast

Email:  katie.cameron@neschoolcounselor.org

Katie Cameron joined the NSCA Staff in 2023 as an Assistant Executive Director having been an educator for over 25 years. Currently a School Counselor in Omaha Public Schools at Benson High School, she serves 10-12 graders in the Design and Construction Academy.  Prior to that, she spent over fifteen year in higher educational students services, at both Metropolitan Community College and the University of Nebraska at Omaha; experience that gives her a hand-up on helping her current students prepare for and transition to, their post-secondary choices.  In the early 2000's, Katie was proudly part of the team who brought the very first dual-credit program, the Technical Academy at MCC, to Nebraska.

Katie's professional affiliations include the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), the Nebraska School Counselor Association (NSCA), the Great Plains association of College Admission Counseling (GPACAC), the Omaha Education Association (OEA), and the Nebraska State Education Association (NSEA).
 

Ellie Tompkins, Assistant Executive Director

Responsibilities: Branding, TBD

Email:  ellie.tompkins@neschoolcounselor.org 

Ellie Tompkins joined the NSCA Staff in 2026 as an Assistant Executive Director and brings a deep commitment to people, strong organizational leadership, and a passion for elevating the impact of school counselors across Nebraska. With more than 15 years of experience in education, nonprofit, and leadership roles, her work is grounded in the belief that investing in people creates lasting change for students, schools, and communities.

She serves as an adjunct instructor and special projects manager at Doane University, where she teaches graduate-level school counseling courses, mentors future counselors, and supports program alignment with the ASCA National Model®. She is also currently working on a publication for ASCA.

Previously, Ellie worked as a school counselor at the elementary and middle school levels in Omaha and Lincoln, where she built comprehensive programs, led advisory councils, and guided her team through the RAMP process. She is known for her strategic thinking and ability to turn big ideas into actionable plans, and is an active presenter and advocate on topics including program branding, advisory councils, and mental health trends in education.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FUNCTION

Within the Policy Governance Model the Executive Director serves as the link between the Governing Board and the paid staff and the army of volunteers that make NSCA a vibrant and successful association.   Through Ends Policies the Governing Board informs the Executive Director what they would like the global accomplishments of the association to be.  The Governing Board also sets parameters for which the Executive Director must operate within while accomplishing the Ends Policies.  These parameters are set through writing of Executive Limitations Policies.  The Governing Board then steps back and it becomes the responsible of the Executive Director, in collaboration with and help from the staff, to determine how to accomplish the Ends Policies written by the board.  The Executive Director, is also responsible for managing the finances of the association, communication and membership as well.  The Board does rigorously monitor the Executive Director to ensure he/she is accomplishing what the board has said and within the parameters it has set.


2026 Scholarship Application is open now!




Due: February 15, 2026