Chattanooga, Tennessee-- Leadership Hamilton County Schools (Leadership HCS) held a five-year program celebration and graduation for the fifth cohort of participants on June 24, 2024.
The celebration and graduation ceremony was held on Monday morning at the Construction Career Center and culminated in a group discussion on ways the community can reduce student learning barriers and meet all students’ needs. Attendees included both graduating and alumni participants.
“Leadership HCS develops community advocates ready to help every student at HCS thrive,” said Chelsea Johnson, Director of Community Relations and Foundations at BlueCross BlueShield TN. “Through collaboration and partnerships, our community can help address and solve challenges in public education in Hamilton County.”
Leadership HCS seeks to create opportunities for a diverse group of community leaders and stakeholders to understand HCS in a unique way. Participants experience both the successes and challenges of how HCS supports its students. The program builds on the leadership skills of community leaders and change agents, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to champion successes and respond to the challenges of public education.
“Leadership HCS is a powerful program that allows us to receive valuable feedback from community champions to address unique challenges in new and innovative ways,” said Dr. Justin Robertson, HCS Superintendent. “I am grateful to our participants for their support of public education as we look for new paths to create opportunity for all students.”
Program Information and Applications for 2024-2025
Leadership HCS is now accepting applications for the program's sixth cohort during the 2024-205 school year. Participants attend eight monthly meetings to learn and explore action areas of Hamilton County Schools. The program is designed to create insight into the opportunities and challenges of public education while gathering valuable feedback and partnership from community leaders. Community members can apply to be a part of this program at hcde.org/leadershipHCS.
The 2023-24 cohort consisted of 16 community leaders.
Leadership Hamilton County Schools 2024 Cohort
- Alexa LeBoeuf- Hamilton County, Director of Economic and Community Development
- Andrew Hudson- Chattanooga 2.0, Director of Viable Pathways
- Ben Connor- Hamilton County Department of Education, District 6 School Board Representative
- Bryant Fairley- University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Director for Engagement
- Caleb Samuel Webb- Acument Global Technologies, Plant Manager
- Darren Hodges- Coca-Cola United, TN Valley Division Director
- Dylan Rivera- City of Chattanooga, Director of Policy Planning and Implementation
- Faye Robinson- Hamilton County Department of Education, District 10 School Board Representative
- Gary Kuehn- Hamilton County Department of Education, District 9 School Board Representative
- Kathryn Barnes- PlayCore, Senior Manager of Programs and Partnerships
- Lakecha Threats- State of Tennessee, Administrative Judge
- Maranda Wilkinson- National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, Director of Education and Public Programming
- Mary Helen Montgomery- The Enterprise Center, Civic Storytelling Program Director
- Robert Philyaw- Hamilton County, Juvenile Court Judge
- Sandy Pricer- RiseUP, CEO and Co-Founder
- Tim Sears- Creative Discovery Museum, President and CEO
- Yvonne Chester- Chattanooga Medical Research, Site Director
Visit here for more information on Leadership Hamilton County Schools.