MoCo CAP’s Coleen Djouha Named Career Coach of the Year

ROCKVILLE, MD- MoCo CAP Career Coach Ms. Coleen Djouha was recently named the Maryland Workforce Association’s (MWA) Career Coach of the Year for 2025. Ms. Djouha received the Blueprint Career Counseling Award during the MWA’s Raising the Bar conference in September.

The award was for “excellence, passion, [and] commitment to helping youth and young adults [explore]their interests and potential,” according to the MWA’s nomination form.

“I am honored to be recognized by my colleagues and receive this award. What we do is transformational,” Ms. Djouha said. “One of the reasons I love working with the MoCo CAP program is that we have the privilege of working with students helping them change the trajectory of their lives. Knowing that what we do matters is a satisfying feeling.”

A respected member of the Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS)counseling staff at Damascus High School for 30-plus years, Ms. Djouha joined the MoCo CAP team upon retirement. She has been an exemplary coach at Quince Orchard High School (QOHS),leveraging her experience and ability to forge relationships to effectively engage with school leadership and the students.

During the past academic year, Ms. Djouha hosted more than 75 Meet A Pro events, bringing QOHS students in contact with professionals from a wide range of industries. She also served as a Team Captain during MoCo CAP’s recent inaugural Summer Road Trip.

Active in the wider community, she has represented MoCo CAP at Maryland’s Night Out and many back-to-school events, along with presenting for the Quince Orchard Parent Teacher Organization.Ms. Djouha also provided testimony to the Maryland Legislature last session, where she emphasized the need for career coaching.

“Our MoCo CAP Career Coaches are the backbone of our program and aid our ability to help all students explore and find their fit in the world of work,” said Mr. Anthony Featherstone, WorkSource Montgomery Executive Director. “We’re so proud to celebrate Coleen’s well-deserved recognition as she has consistently proved to be caring, committed, creative, and resourceful in serving her students.”

Ms. Djouha also recently completed her Registered Apprenticeship Training, becoming a MoCo CAP Certified Career Practitioner.

Anne Arundel Student Career Excellence (AASCE) Career Coach Angela Brantley was awarded the Blueprint Career Counseling Programs Award in 2024.