News

Auten named director of student services

By Lightning Reports, Published: June 22, 2023

Shannon Auten, the current principal of Innovative High School, will serve as the school system's director of student services, filling Auten the position vacated by Matthew Gruebmeyer, who he is retiring after 26 years with the public schools. Auten's promotion to the central office role was approved by the School Board last week.

“We are excited to have Mrs. Auten join our Instructional Services team and enhance our efforts to provide comprehensive support to all HCPS students,” said Dr. Shannon Marlowe, HCPS Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services. “The last few years have been challenging for our schools, and Mr. Gruebmeyer has worked diligently to build the Student Services Department to meet student and school needs. He is handing over to Mrs. Auten a robust program that I am confident she will continue to grow and refine.”

In her role, Auten will oversee attendance support activities, dropout prevention, foster student support, McKinney-Vento/homeless education, safety assessment and support, school counseling, school social work, and more. 

HCPS values the partnerships among students, families, educators, administrators, school counselors, school nurses, social workers, and many community partners. To that end, the Henderson County Student Services Program supports and helps students to do and be their best in school.

“I am honored to have been selected for this important role,” said Auten. “I believe that every student deserves to have the opportunity to reach their full potential, and I look forward to collaborating closely with our staff, students, and families to work toward that goal.”

Auten joined HCPS as a school counselor in 2006 at West Henderson High School. In 2011, she was named Assistant Principal. From 2016 to 2020, she served as Principal. 

Since 2020, Auten has served as Principal of both the Henderson County Early College and Henderson County Career Academy in the Innovative High Schools building on the campus of Blue Ridge Community College. She was named the 2022-2023 HCPS Principal of the Year. 

“Shannon Auten personifies what it means to be a student centered educator,” said Mark R. Garrett, HCPS Superintendent. “As a school leader, she has prioritized positive relationships and a personalized approach as the means to student and school success. Her counseling background and experience as a highly successful principal makes her the ideal person to grow an already successful program.  We are excited about the future of Student Services knowing that Ms. Auten is leading the charge.”

Auten obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications, with minors in chinese and business from Villanova University. She holds a master’s degrees in school counseling and in school administration from Western Carolina University.