For the past 12 years, College and Career Counselor Mary Giunta has advised the students of Affton High School on their futures — whether that be enrolling in college or heading straight into the workforce — and this responsibility includes connecting Affton students with programs through St. Louis Community College (STLCC). For her work with STLCC, Giunta has been awarded the 2026 St. Louis Community College Enrollment Champion Award.
“I love watching the students as they figure out what’s next for them,” Giunta said. “They come in, thinking they have to know, getting pressure from others saying, ‘What are you going to do with your life?’ I don’t ask that question. I ask, ‘What do you want to try next?’”
The Enrollment Champion Award was given to four high school counselors — one for each of STLCC’s four campuses — for their “outstanding” partnerships with the community college. Giunta was the recipient for the Meramec Campus. The four winners received their awards at a ceremony in October.
“We’re not one of the biggest schools in St. Louis, but I work really hard,” Giunta said. “I always try to make sure (students) are fully prepared to know what they’re getting into and they know what needs to be done to be successful. That’s my goal. I was very honored that, even with the much bigger districts in the area, they decided to honor me for the work that I’m doing.”
Giunta helps Affton students get involved with STLCC in a few ways. The first is the Early College Academy, where students can go to the community college during their junior and senior year, earning their associates degree alongside their high school diploma. Giunta says there are approximately 12 AHS students enrolled in this program.
She also assists seniors who are enrolled in the Make It Count program. These students are finished with their high school requirements by the end of the fall semester of their senior year, but instead of graduating early, they do a semester of dual enrollment at STLCC. She says there are approximately 10 students enrolled in Make It Count each year. Beyond those programs, Giunta says there are usually five to 10 other Affton students involved in random dual enrollment courses.
“We have somebody here that runs dual credit, which is held inside the building, but my job is to take care of everything on STLCC’s campus with my students,” Giunta said. “STLCC — they’re people I talk to probably monthly. (…) It’s a lot of communication back and forth. I’m grateful that STLCC picked me as one of the people who do a good job to help support the programs.”
Beyond her work with STLCC’s dual enrollment programs, Giunta prides herself on being available to AHS students whenever they would like to discuss their plans or questions for the future — she says her door is “always open.”
“Any student, whether they’re a freshman or a senior, can come in and ask me any question they want,” Giunta said. “No one has to wait to see me. That’s one of my favorite parts of my job — I don’t have just a part of an alphabet or a specific grade level, but I’m available for all students, and I get to know them throughout all four years.”
