Steward’s Leadership Program, founded in 2021, continues to thrive. Robust and experiential, it focuses on topics including group dynamics and conflict resolution, global engagement, and social justice. The program engages participants in topics that encourage critical thinking, empathy, and civil discourse; students who complete the program earn an endorsement designation on their diploma. Eliza McGehee leads the program with Scottie O’Neill, program assistant. 

Leadership Program students have worked with Dr. Austin Council, Collegiate Assistant Professor of Leadership and Social Change at Virginia Tech, for the past two years. In 2022-23, Dr. Council visited Steward and worked with first- and second-year Leadership students. In March 2024, 19 juniors in the program took an overnight trip to Virginia Tech, where they participated in workshops with the Department of Agricultural Leadership and Community Education (Dr. Council’s department); VT Engage: The Center for Leadership and Social Change; and the Leadership and Social Change Residential College.

“Each department planned programming tailored to our students,” noted Ms. McGehee. The visit, which included hands-on activities, student and faculty panels, and lunch with current Virginia Tech students, was made possible by the Wheless Family Stewardship Fund. 

One workshop in particular made a big impression on Anna Carpinelli ’25.

“Dr. Council gave each person cards to sort from most important to least important,” she explained. “The cards’ subjects varied, from materialistic things to faith and integrity. Sorting the cards was a struggle for most of us, but it was interesting to see the differences between my and my peers' beliefs. The exercise helped us sort the values that help us be the leaders we are today and the leaders we want to be in the future.” 

In April 2024, Dr. Council visited Steward to conduct workshops with first-, second-, and third-year cohorts on topics such as understanding one’s values as a leader and authenticity in the age of social media. 

Theo Hirsch ’26 was deeply affected by Dr. Council’s workshop on authenticity.

 “We talked about how society posts curated images, creating non-real [social media] images,” shared Theo. “[By doing so you] erase your inner self for the benefit of others … to tell the truth is to put [your true self] before others. Leadership is neither good nor bad. We need to ask ourselves: How can we be authentic while understanding that total authenticity does not facilitate good leadership?”

Dr. Council also led a workshop for the Middle School Student Council Association about the importance of collaborative work.

Expert Advice
Leadership students also attended a series of panel discussions this spring, which highlighted the ways that leadership impacts careers. Panelists shared their thoughts on the importance of communication, confidence, and initiative, “all of which are things that we seek to instill in our leadership students,” noted Ms. McGehee. Students also got practical advice about seizing opportunities and collaborating in the workforce.  

In February, Steward alumni and alumni parents Michael Congdon ’00, John Knorr ’89, Stacy Struminger (parent of Grace ’21), and Larry French (parent of Elliot ’20) talked to students about business leadership. 

A March panel discussion brought together John Keefe ’15, Davis Mohr ’27, Joe Thompson (parent of Drew ’21 and Amelia ’23), and Judith Zirkle ’93 to discuss leadership in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

In April, panelists J.C. Chenault ’91, Rashida Mitchell (parent of Dinari '22), and Roben Farzad (parent of Jacob ’28) shared their thoughts on leadership in law, government, and journalism. 

Leadership Presentation Night
On April 24, the 17 third-year Leadership students proudly presented their capstone projects to their families, plus faculty and administrators. Each student talked about their individual projects, but also about how they have learned and grown as leaders through their three years in the program. 

“We are enormously proud of these students,” said Ms. McGehee. “Their projects demonstrate how students can make a substantial impact both in the Steward community and beyond. We are so excited to see them step into formal leadership roles during their senior year.”