Emerging Leaders Program
In cooperation with Hanover County School District and the
Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond
Description
 The Emerging Leaders Program is a year-long experience for high school
seniors in Hanover County. Each spring, the four major high schools
accept an ambitious group of students to spend their final year exploring
the complex dynamics of leadership. These students show strong character,
academic ability, and leadership potential. The program begins with a
Summer Experience at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the
University of Richmond where students get to meet and learn with
participants from the other area high schools. During the academic year,
each school’s class of Emerging Leaders meets regularly to discuss
leadership, takes trips to visit real-world leaders in the community, and
adopts a year-long project to put their leadership skills into practice
toward a collective goal.
Application and Selection
 In the spring of their junior year, students may apply to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) during their senior year. Candidates are evaluated based on their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal activities. The application includes letters of recommendation from two teachers as well as an essay component.
Each of the four major high schools in Hanover County forms a school committee consisting of the ELP teacher, administrator, guidance counselor and other teachers to review the applications. Applications are ranked by the quality of teacher recommendations, participation in extracurricular activities, and strength of the essay. Each high school’s committee selects approximately 15 students each spring. Combined with the other high schools, a total of 40-60 students are selected to participate in the program every year.
The Summer Experience
In August, a few weeks before returning for their senior year of high
school, students embark on a week-long leadership institute at the Jepson
School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond. The Jepson
School is the only school of its kind in the nation, and offers a perfect
setting for local high school students to study leadership in a positive
college setting.
 The program begins with a trip to Challenge Discovery, where students
engage in a series of outdoor activities that test and develop trust and
teamwork with each other. The rest of the week is spent on the University
of Richmond campus, where students address such topics as:
- What is Leadership?
- Service and Leadership
- Leadership in Action
- Ethical Leadership
The week’s activities consist of small and large group lessons and
discussion, hands-on activities, and raise questions and test theories of
leadership. Students watch and discuss video clips, place themselves in
ethical dilemmas, and engage in unique ventures such as blindfolding
themselves and submitting to the guidance of their “followers.”
Outside of the institute, students read a series of assignments and engage
in Blackboard discussions of them. The program emphasizes fun while
encouraging as much learning as possible. It brings students from various
high schools together to share both good times and ideas of leadership.
The School Year Experience
During the academic year, each school’s group of Emerging leaders meets weekly to discuss leadership issues and work on school and community projects. Classes begin with a student-led activity including a “leadership lesson” (such as public speaking tips or a discussion of stereotyping). Students spend time planning and making decisions about their year-long projects (see below) as well as other, smaller tasks they undertake. Additionally, class time is used for group seminars and discussions about short reading assignments and other leadership experiences.
Field Trips
Students are exposed to leadership in their larger community. Throughout the school year Emerging Leaders go on field trips to see leadership in action in the world around them. During the 2006-2007 school year students could be found exploring leadership all over their county and region, from the local courthouse to the Federal Reserve Bank. Other examples of field trips include: the SPCA office in Richmond, the Central Virginia Food Bank, and the Virginia General Assembly.
Guest Speakers
Emerging Leaders have the opportunity to meet with real-world leaders to discuss their leadership experience. Many high-profile speakers and guests are invited to meet with the students, including the First Lady of Virginia, Anne Holton, President of the State Board of Education Mark Emblidge, Hanover Businessmen Bob Bailie and Ben Winters, Virginia Assembly Delegate Chris Peace, President of the Hanover Board of Supervisors Bob Setliff, and Owens and Minor executive Gil Minor.
 Book Study
Each year, Emerging Leaders from all the high schools read a book that relates to leadership. During both the Summer Experience and a follow-up session later that Fall during the school year, students and faculty from the Jepson School of Leadership Studies meet with the Emerging Leaders to discuss the book and its leadership implications. Past text selections include Hermann Hesse’s Journey to the East and Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air.
The Year-Long Project
The pinnacle of the Emerging Leaders Program is the Year-Long Project. Students from each school engage in a long-term effort to serve their communities and their world. Students take the lead in selecting their projects and developing plans and strategies for making them successful. Projects range from campaigns to boost school spirit to adopting a wing of a children’s hospital ward to raising money for relief efforts in troubled areas in the world. Students learn firsthand the challenges and triumphs of collective efforts and experience the satisfaction of making a real difference.
In May of their senior year, the Emerging Leaders from the four high schools come together again to present their year’s work to other students, family, teachers, principals, and the superintendent. Students have the opportunity to showcase their hard work and the leadership skills they developed over the last year.
Reflections
- Photo Galleries
- Schedule
- 2006 Summer Experience Schedule (34 KB PDF)
Day-by-day breakdown of the programs and activities that Emerging Leaders participate in as they explore and practice leadership. The first day is “off campus” at Challenge Discovery and the
rest of the week is spent at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond.
Resources
- Emerging Leaders Board Presentation, 2006 (19 MB PowerPoint file, broadband connection recommended)
Contact Us
For more information, please contact:
Rebecca J. Alexander
Assistant Director Gifted Services
200 Berkley Street
Ashland, Virginia 23005
(804) 365-4546 work
(804) 365-4689 fax
balexander@hcps.us
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