Shannon Sandrea

Shannon Sandrea has significant experience in the field of youth counseling and program development. Shannon currently serves as the Senior Director of Expect Respect at The SAFE Alliance, overseeing various school-based counseling and support programs for youth exposed to violence. Prior to this role, they held the position of Senior Program Director at Communities In Schools of Central Texas. Shannon has also worked as a School-Based Therapist Team Lead at Integral Care, where they provided mental health services in middle and high schools and supported a pilot program for peer support specialists. Earlier in their career, Shannon worked as a Program Coordinator at the City of Austin, where they supervised Peer Health Educators and facilitated community health initiatives. Shannon also served as a Licensed Mental Health Lead Counselor at The SAFE Alliance, providing counseling services and training to students and school personnel. Additionally, Shannon co-founded and served as the Executive Director of The Cipher - Austin's Hip Hop Project, a program that empowered youth and promoted community development. Shannon has also held roles as a Texas Representative for the RESPECT!Challenge campaign at Futures Without Violence and as a School-Based Counselor at The SAFE Alliance. Shannon's experience spans over two decades, and they have consistently demonstrated a passion for supporting and empowering young people.

Shannon Sandrea has a diverse education history spanning multiple institutions and fields. In 1988, they attended The University of Texas at Austin, where they pursued a degree in Liberal Arts with a focus on Psychology. After completing their undergraduate studies, Shannon went on to attend Our Lady of the Lake University from 1993 to 1995, where they obtained a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology.

In 1996, Shannon enrolled at Northeastern University, where they spent a year pursuing their Master of Science degree in School-based Counseling and Family Counseling. Following their graduation from Northeastern University in 1997, Shannon obtained their license as a Licensed Professional Counselor from the Texas Department of State Health Services in December 1998.

Years later, in 2008, Shannon participated in a Certificate program in Nonprofit Leadership at the Center for Community-Based and Nonprofit Organizations, which they completed in 2009. This additional certification allowed Shannon to broaden their expertise in the field of nonprofit leadership.

Overall, Shannon's educational background demonstrates a strong focus on counseling and psychology, with additional training in nonprofit leadership.