Leadership at The Hill School
Campus Life

Leadership at The Hill

While participating in a leadership program doesn’t make you a leader, many programs focus on developing skills that are essential for both academic and professional success. Skills such as communication, problem solving, time management, delegation, critical thinking and collaboration/teamwork.

 At Hill, we want students to be prepared to handle whatever they encounter in college, careers, and life. When students are exposed to skill development before entering college or the working world, they are more equipped to do so.
 

Leadership shouldn’t be attached to a title or position. Leadership is giving opportunities – large or small – for students to lead their peers and to have conversations with adults in our community about what it means to be a leader.B.J. Keefer | Director of Leadership Programs and the Cleveland Leadership Center

Dormitory prefects participate in leadership training each year.

Four Reasons Why Leadership Opportunities are Important for High School Students:

  1. Students learn important life skills in a safe and supportive environment. Many students are not naturally aware of everything that being a leader entails or that there is a difference between being an effective leader and someone that others simply follow.
     
  2. Students learn how to how to make friends and influence people. This isn’t just a cliche learned through Dale Carnegie’s book, How to Win Friends and Influence People. High school is a great place to experiment with skills and learn how to put them into practice through academics, sports, co-curriculars, and dorm life.
     
  3. Student leadership experiences foster team building skills. Think about the first time you were asked to lead a group project and the challenges of getting the task completed, especially when that project was graded! Learning how to recognize others strengths and delegating responsibilities to effectively get a project done is a life skill no matter the field a student may go into when entering the “real world.”
     
  4. Student leadership positions prepare students for life in the workplace. Preparing students with skills that may help set them apart from others vying for the same position is critical. It's important for students to understand how leadership positions listed on a co-curricular transcript or resume may be what gets them into an interview, internship, or job.

The Cleveland Leadership Center

The Cleveland Leadership Center, located in the Athey Academic Center, was established in 2021 through the generosity of Barbara and Tom Cleveland ’64. The Leadership Development Program provides hands-on opportunities for Hill students to develop leadership skills, create their own vision, network with Hill alumni, and workshop new ideas into meaningful programs and events. Student groups such as Student Government Association, Honor Council, Student Activities, prefects, and program captains gather in this dynamic and comfortable space for idea sharing, training, and mentorship opportunities.

Leadership Development Program Opportunities for Students:

Leadership Roles for Students:
 

For additional information about The Hill School's leadership program, please contact B.J. Keefer, Director of Leadership Programs and the Cleveland Leadership Center, at bkeefer@thehill.org.