National Center for Girls' Leadership at Stuart
Welcome
We're excited to announce the expansion of the Stuart Center for Girls' Leadership. The National Center for Girls' Leadership at Stuart (NCGLS) works to support and empower the next generation of female leaders. Through research, professional programming, and development of innovative curriculum, Stuart serves as a resource to parents, students and educators throughout the world.
Meet our new director, Courtney Portlock
The Leadership Diploma Endorsement at Stuart
We know that leadership can be cultivated and developed through an exploration of leadership theory, the development of leadership skills and qualities and the application of this knowledge. We are excited to offer our students the opportunity to pursue leadership studies, and if they choose, they may earn an endorsement in leadership to be noted on their high school transcript. Students must apply to the program, take three leadership courses, complete a practicum/independent study junior year, and a final thesis presentation senior year.
Leadership courses include:
Leadership Theory and Ethics, Leadership Styles
Personal Leadership Development
Students examine different leadership styles of prominent leaders in our society. Leaders from different fields such as government and politics, arts and entertainment, service, science and technology are studied. Special attention is given to powerful female leaders including Eleanor Roosevelt, Hillary Clinton, Virginia Woolf, Mother Teresa, Marie Curie, and Oprah Winfrey. Students learn to identify and develop their own leadership styles, strengths and areas of growth.
Applied Leadership
Students learn the practical skills of goal setting and project management. They also have the opportunity to lead and work in teams to develop programs and activities. The culmination of the course is the development and execution of a school program such as the mini-Student Diversity Leadership Conference or the Young Women in Leadership Workshop.
Women in Leadership Speaker Series
The Women in Leadership Speaker Series brings prominent women leaders to Stuart for keynote presentations and panel discussions. The series was initiated in 2006 with the mission of educating girls, and those who mentor and support them, to the qualities of “leadership for life.” Skills in personal excellence, individual leadership, self-confidence and personal vision are stressed through this program.
Recent Speakers
Dr. Michele Gillespie ’79
Dean of the College
at Wake Forest University
November 2015 WIL Speaker
Full bio >>
Leadership Resources
Expand this panel for leadership resources
Student Voice Defined - A clear definition of student voice
Edutopia - Keep up-to-date on the latest trends in education
Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics: Teach a Girl to Lead - Search for leadership programs near you
GirlsUp - Programming offered to girls ages 10–13
Gardner Carney Leadership Institute Blog - Where teachers share how they teach leadership
Girl's Leadership - Day and overnight leadership development programs for girls of all ages
NCGS article: "Student leadership development in secondary girls’ schools" - From the National Coalition of Girls Schools
Rutgers Institute for Women's Leadership - Advancing women's leadership for a just world
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board serves in the capacity of consultant to the National Center for Girls' Leadership at Stuart. The advisory board consists of outstanding leaders across a variety of disciplines who are deeply committed to the advancement of leadership development in young women. The president of Stuart's student government and a faculty liaison also serve on the Board.
Stephanie Champi ’12
Teach for America 2016 Corps Member
Joanna Vargas ’88
Founder of Joanna Vargas Skincare and Salon
Ivonne Diaz Claisse
President and CEO of HISPA
Lori Hennon-Bell
Chief Security Officer, Prudential Financial
Dr. Trisha Medeiros
President, Ursuline Academy
Katherine McLaughlin ’18
President of Student Government at Stuart
Faculty in Residence
Courtney Portlock
Head of Upper School,
Director, National Center for Girls Leadership
Christina Kosyla
Faculty in Residence, National Center for Girls Leadership
Samantha Ryan
Leadership Endorsement Chair
Alicia Testa
STEM/SIFE Coordinator,
STEM Endorsement Co-Chair
Jason Bink
STEM Endorsement Co-Chair
Sean Malloy
Upper School Dean of Students
Rebecca Fazzina
Interim Assistant Head of Upper School
Jan Baldwin
Middle School Dean of Students
The Harris B. Siegel Fund
for Student Leadership
The expansion of our leadership programs has been made possible by the Harris B. Siegel Fund for Student Leadership, established by Patricia Costante and Stephanie Champi ’12. Their generous gift was given to Stuart in gratitude for Mr. Siegel, a long time director of college counseling.
