Aquilas Lokossou
School Counselor | Educational Equity Advocate | Former School Commissioner | Art Preparator | Exhibition Designer
Aquilas Lokossou is a Vermont-based school counselor, educational leader, and steadfast advocate for student equity whose work centers belonging, resilience, and systemic accountability. Originally from West Africa, Lokossou moved to Burlington at the age of four. His early experiences navigating the American school system—supported by dedicated counselors who helped him find footing and voice—shaped the trajectory of his life’s work.
He earned an honors degree in Psychology from SUNY Plattsburgh, where he was selected as a graduation speaker, and later received his Master’s degree in School Counseling from the University of Vermont. His academic and professional path reflects a clear throughline: ensuring that young people—particularly students of color and English language learners—are seen, supported, and empowered.
Lokossou has served as a counselor at King Street Youth Center and, beginning in August 2024, joined South Burlington High School as a school counselor. In these roles, he has focused on culturally responsive support systems, academic access, and mental health advocacy. His approach to counseling is relational and equity-centered, grounded in the belief that student success must include dignity, affirmation, and structural fairness.
In March 2022, Lokossou was elected as a Burlington School Commissioner representing the Central District, becoming one of the youngest members to serve on the school board. His campaign emphasized transparency, restorative practices, and student-centered governance. His leadership signaled a generational shift—young, informed, and deeply rooted in lived experience.
In 2025, Lokossou became a visible advocate amid district-level tensions involving budget cuts and allegations of racial discrimination. His willingness to speak openly about equity, accountability, and student advocacy sparked broad community response, including public demonstrations and a letter of support signed by dozens of high school staff members. The moment underscored both the challenges and urgency of equity-centered educational leadership.
In addition to his counseling and governance work, Lokossou co-authored a 2022 study published in School Psychology International titled “Rural parent and elementary school student resilience to COVID-19,” contributing scholarly insight into family adaptation and student well-being during crisis.
As part of the Vibrant Lives Project, Aquilas Lokossou represents the evolving narrative of Black leadership in Vermont’s educational landscape. His journey—from immigrant child to counselor, scholar, and elected official—embodies the transformative impact of mentorship and representation. His work reminds us that schools are not simply institutions of instruction, but sites of identity formation, justice, and possibility.
Lokossou stands as a bridge across generations—an advocate who remembers what it means to need support and who now works to ensure that support is structurally embedded for those who come after him.
Interview Summary
From Benin to Burlington: A Journey of Identity, Purpose, and Community Service
In an intimate interview exploring personal growth and cultural navigation, Aquilas Lokossou, a young school counselor from Burlington, Vermont, shared a compelling narrative of his life's journey from West Africa to the northeastern United States.
Born in 2000 in Benin (Africa) , Aquilas Lokossou immigrated with his family to Burlington at age five, experiencing a transformative cultural transition that would profoundly shape his worldview. Raised by immigrant parents, Bernard and Olga, Aquilas developed a nuanced understanding of identity, community, and personal responsibility.
Growing up in a predominantly white community, Aquilas learned early to navigate complex social landscapes. His parents' protective and strict parenting style instilled in him a deep sense of awareness, teaching him to carefully consider his actions and their potential impacts.
As a school counselor, Aquilas has transformed his personal experiences into a mission of support and advocacy. Inspired by his elementary school counselor, Pat Holbert, he discovered his calling to serve youth and create positive educational environments.
Aquilas’ guiding principles—integrity, compassion, justice, and curiosity—reflect a holistic approach to personal and professional development. He emphasizes the importance of individual paths, cautioning against the competitive pressures of social media and societal expectations.
"Everyone is on their own path," Aquilas stated, likening life's journey to driving in different lanes on a highway. His advice to youth centers on self-belief, understanding personal goals, and resisting the urge to compare oneself to others.
Reflecting on his multicultural background, Aquilas Lokossou sees strength in his ability to bridge different experiences. He views his identity as a continuous learning process, constantly adapting and growing while maintaining a commitment to community service.
His message resonates with a broader narrative of immigrant experiences, personal resilience, and the ongoing work of understanding oneself within complex social contexts. Aquilas represents a generation of young professionals committed to creating inclusive, supportive environments that celebrate diversity and individual potential.
As he continues his work as a school counselor, Aquilas Lokossou stands as a testament to the power of self-reflection, cultural understanding, and unwavering commitment to personal and community growth.