She’s just a few levels up from you – or maybe down depending on where you are. She’s a young, fresh new face located in room 8141, the school’s College and Career Center. The occupant of this room might be mistaken for a volunteer student, but her poise and very professional business attire give a visitor to the center that this is no senior. She is Mikala Bush, the new director of the North Atlanta High School College and Career Center. She came to the school at the beginning of the year to succeed Austin Lyke, the center’s former director.

The center is a joint collaboration between Atlanta Public Schools and the Institute of Higher Learning at the University of Georgia. The aim behind the center is to assist student populations in their efforts to go to college. The center’s particular focus is helping minority or low-family-income students to navigate the complex pre-college waters.

Bush graduated from the University of Georgia in May with a degree in psychology. Her vocational goals are to become a school counselor and to eventually start her own non-profit organization or to practice in the mental health field. A native of Stockbridge in Henry County, she attended Woodland High School in that city. She has lived in Atlanta since her college graduation and said she’s really enjoying assisting North Atlanta students.

“I remember at first kids would come in here they didn’t even know my name or know that this existed, and now they come in here every week with tons of questions. I love that about my job,” she said.

Bush roamed the halls of North Atlanta for the first time in May while shadowing her predecessor, Lyke. Her first impression of our massive 11-story school was positive. “It’s a very unique campus and it’s very diverse,” she said. “Every day I get to see the many wonderful things that are happening here.”

It’s no doubt that she’s handling the job well. The center has received plenty of recognition lately and she has had prior experience to encourage the growth even more. She’s done an experimental learning service project while she was an undergrad at an elementary school in Athens. The project assisted kids to acquire efficient learning skills.

Bush definitely stays busy throughout the day. On top of constantly scheduling events and making sure things are going the way they should, she still finds time to assist students with any help they need (especially during lunch). Most of the questions she gets are about fee waivers and college acceptances, but no matter the question she has a ready answer.

All students – especially juniors and seniors – are urged to visit the center. Room 8141 is where you will find all of your answers to school requirements, financial aid and even college essays. Bush has set up many events to encourage the idea of college, and is working toward having more opportunities for sophomores and freshman to be involved as well. Students should schedule an appointment during lunch, after school or whenever there’s time. “Come see me. Don’t be shy,” she said.