Leading the Way

This article was originally published in the 2021-22 Year in Review.

Steward’s Leadership program, which launched in 2021, is thriving. This hands-on program is tailor-made for select Upper Schoolers who want to be top-notch leaders. The 18 students in the program, led by Upper School Social Studies Teacher Eliza McGehee, explore their personal leadership styles and discover the importance of ethical, empathetic leadership.

In the spring, the program welcomed Dr. Kerstin Soderlund, associate dean for student and external affairs for University of Richmond’s Jepson School of Leadership Studies program. She facilitated a workshop in which students completed a self-assessment to better understand how they approach conflict. 

“This helped them see that there are multiple conflict styles and analyze how their own style might affect others,” said Ms. McGehee. 

The cohort also participated in a panel discussion on campus with Head of School Dan Frank and Steward’s division directors, who shared their leadership philosophies and offered advice. Sienna Rankins ’25, who joined the program last fall, has enjoyed learning about the finer points of leadership. 

“I have found myself putting my new skills to use outside of the program, such as when I'm working on group projects and there is a conflict,” she noted.