The Important Role of a Student Services Navigator

In 2023 GMGI was awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant to assist Gloucester Biotechnology Academy in providing wraparound services for our students, and in early 2024, Becky Wuenschel was hired as a Student Services Navigator to coordinate these services.

Growing up, Becky’s family fostered a sense of mission and fun through a focus on human services. “I’ve always been drawn to careers where I could help people,” said Becky. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to support people in realizing their goals.” Becky has a BS in Psychology and Elementary Education from UMass/Boston and a certificate in Waldorf Foundation Studies from Antioch University of NE. Becky has also studied at Montserrat College of Art.

As Student Services Navigator, Becky helps Academy students coordinate the logistics that come with enrolling in a nine-month training program. Because some students don’t have the support of family, they sometimes need assistance accessing resources to help them better focus on their work at the Academy. During a typical week, Becky may assist students with connecting to services such as The Open Door — which helps to alleviate food insecurity by providing weekly food — and applying to SNAP/EBT. Some students need help strategizing around homelessness prevention and applying for housing assistance. Others are looking to identify mental health and medical practitioners as well as obtain health insurance. Becky also invites community organizations to share resources available to Academy students. If students live outside of the Cape Ann area, Becky will help them connect to their local resources.

“The students at the Academy are a very special group. Their determination to change the course of their lives is remarkable,” she said. “I’m honored to be part of their journey.”