Cherry Hill High Graduate Takes Stage At National School Counselor Conference

NEW ORLEANS — A school counselor and mental health professional was a featured speaker at the 2026 American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Annual Conference from July 11-14 in New Orleans.

Dr. Elizabeth "Liz" Schopfer gave a presentation on "School-Based Threat Assessment," research-based ways to help schools identify and respond appropriately to potential threats while still catering to mental health and overall well-being.

Her audience, made up of fellow educators and school counselors, were given practical methods to garner safe, supportive learning environments even in the face of turmoil.

"New Jersey has a number of wonderful resources and support systems in place, and it was wonderful to connect with school counselors from across the nation (and a few from outside of other countries) to learn together as we all strive to support our school communities," Schopfer told Patch.

While she sees great strides in how far school safety and mental health resources have grown over the last decade, she believes there are still major gaps in the system.

Of the most importance, Schopfer detailed, is the lack of time for training, team meetings, debriefing, and follow-up.

"Many of the tasks of the Threat Assessment are falling on already overburdened school staff, with insufficient time, resources, and personnel to address both threat assessment and the other needs of the school community," said Schopfer.

She also is calling for schools to navigate away from their own methods, such as Google forms, to report suspicious activity in favor of joining all New Jersey districts together on a statewide anonymous tipline.

Schopfer currently serves in the Pine Hill Borough School District which has partnered with "Sandy Hook Promise."

The group was founded by loved ones of those killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut and advocates for nationwide school shooting prevention through programs, research, and policy activation.

"Each and every member of our community has a responsibility to support school safety and can make a positive impact," said Schopfer.

Schopfer was valedictorian of the Cherry Hill High School West Class of 2009 before graduating from the University of Pennsylvania.

She then finished her doctorate at Capella University.

During her career, she's centered her practice around advancing student mental health services and building up school communities.

Along with finding inspiration in building the confidence of others, Schopfer said faith and commitment to service are just as important and cited Proverbs 16:3: "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans."

The ASCA event brings in thousands of school counselors, administrators and education professionals each year from across the United States in order to share ideas around student support and school safety.

More information on programs coordinated by the American School Counselor Association, resources, and ways to get involved can be found on the organization's website.

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