MCEC Announces Frances Hesselbein Student Leadership Program

HARKER HEIGHTS, Texas — The Military Child Education Coalition® (MCEC) has announced the Spring 2022 Frances Hesselbein Student Leadership Program (FHSLP) at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). 

“We are very happy to partner with the Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute and the United States Air Force Academy to provide this exceptional opportunity to our military-connected high school students. These outstanding students will gain invaluable leadership skills and experience life at a service academy.” said Dr. Becky Porter, MCEC president and CEO. 

Selected Students:

• Arwen from Falcon High School (Peyton, CO)
• Faith from Severna Park High School (Severna Park, MD)
• Carolina from James I. O’Neill High School (Highland Falls, NY)
• Olivia from Wylie High School (Abilene, TX)
• Sydney from Burkburnett High School (Burkburnett, TX)
• John from Burkburnett High School (Burkburnett, TX)
• John from Winston Churchill High School (San Antonio, TX)
• Diamond from James Madison High School (San Antonio, TX)
• David from Robert G. Cole High School (San Antonio, TX)
• Caleb from Granby High School (Norfolk, VA)
• Mia from Swansboro High School (Swansboro, NC)
• Kelsey from Steilacoom High School (Steilacoom, WA)

Established by MCEC in 2006, the mission of the FHSLP is to enhance the individual student’s leadership skills with the purpose of growing and sustaining their campus Student 2 Student® (S2S™) program. This session will look different than previous sessions; it will be delivered in a hybrid 3-part experience allowing for students to have a more in-depth leadership experience.  

Part One is a virtual session with United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) on February 24 -25, 2022. Students will participate virtually in the USAFA’s National Character & Leadership Symposium (NCLS), where they will interact with USAFA Cadets, airmen, and other attendees from around the globe to gain important leadership skills and foster character development.  

Part Two will be a self-paced online leadership development course developed by LtCol (RET) Dan Watola, a former professor at USAFA. The course covers the 4 I’s of transformational leadership: Intellectual Stimulation, Idealized Influence, Individual Consideration, and Inspirational Motivation. 

Part Three will be an in-person session at the USAFA in June 2022 with a specialized summer leadership course: Students will participate in a 4-day leadership experience alongside USAFA cadets, where they will build leadership skills with a focus on character development. 

To qualify for this unique experience, students must be an active member of their campus S2S program, be a sophomore or junior, and be recommended by their S2S sponsor. The applications deadline is February 8, 2022, with interviews being conducted February 10 and 14, 2022. Student leader selections will be announced no later than February 18, 2022. For more information, visit: https://www.militarychild.org/programs/frances-hesselbein-student-leadership-program