Students from Foxcroft, Saint Anne's-Belfield, Flint Hill and Fredericksburg Academy joined Highland's Upper School students recently for the 6th annual Leadership Conference.

An integral component of Highland's Leadership program, this conference brings together students and faculty from different schools to engage in activities and share perspectives on the knowledge, skills, and qualities essential for effective leadership. This year's student workshop topics, facilitated by Highland Leadership Studies students, included: Empathy and Social Change; Group Dynamics; and Models of Leadership. While students were in workshops, faculty from participating institutions had time to share best leadership development practices and curriculum ideas.

The day kicked off with a special assembly to welcome Jennifer Sheehy, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), US Department of Labor. The mission of ODEP is to develop policy that increases job opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities.

Prior to her current position, Jennifer spent 10 years at the US Department of Education in many roles, including acting Director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, acting Deputy Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration and Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

She came to the Department of Education from the Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities where she was Senior Policy Advisor and served a detail as Associate Director in the White House Domestic Policy Council. Before she joined the task force staff, Jennifer was Vice President of the National Organization on Disability and Director of its CEO Council. Jennifer earned a B.A. from Cornell University and graduated with honors from Georgetown University, where she received her MBA.

Ms. Sheehy stayed to join Piedmont, Highland and Founders scholars in the Hazel Library for luncheon and an additional discussion on 'Advocacy and Leadership'.