The Bush Center

Lead at Houston Christian

With the only high school leadership center bearing the name and integrating the leadership legacies of a U.S. president, our dedicated and intentional space develops scholarship and leadership among gifted students from across the world.
In a time when ethical leadership is in decline, The George and Barbara Bush Center for Scholars and Leaders equips and inspires people to implement the leadership principles of the 41st president to positively influence their communities and beyond. The Bush Center promotes the development of scholarship and leadership through the cultivation and study of faith and moral guidelines for all ages and we welcome you to explore our site and see how we can partner together to illuminate the world for good.



In 2011, our Head of School, Dr. Stephen Livingston, and Board Member, Jeff Reeter, joined George & Barbara Bush in Kennebunkport, Maine to discuss the idea of a Leadership Center for High School students.  They cited a study from Harvard Business Review which concluded that the average age leadership skills are taught is around 10 years after they first start in a supervisory role.  The idea of purposefully teaching leadership concepts and skills in multiple programs and courses to high school students was, and still is, innovative and impactful.  President and Mrs. Bush were intrigued by the concept, and with their blessing thus was born The George & Barbara Bush Center for Scholars and Leaders. 
 
Housed on the campus of Houston Christian High School, The Bush Center boasts the largest collection of President Bush artifacts in Houston, Texas, where each component tells the story of the President and First Lady’s work while in office and their relentless efforts in helping to build young leaders.

Currently in The Bush Center

List of 3 news stories.

  • Taher Inc Cooks Up Leadership at HC

    Our students enjoyed learning from Executive Chef Josh Lankford from Taher, Inc., who provided stories and videos from his travels abroad as well as delicious and innovative Asian Fusion food! Chef Lankford connected food to memories of family, love, and creating new memories. Leadership, entrepreneurship, delicious treats, and Mustangs make for a great experience. Thank you, Taher Inc!
  • DSP Visits George H. W. Bush Office

    Our Bush Center Distinguished Scholars Program students were gifted the opportunity to tour the Houston office of George H. W. Bush, which he occupied after his Presidency. The George & Barbara Bush Foundation has preserved the office, and our students were able to hear the history of the artwork, photos, and artifacts. The students got to sign the guest book, and the highlight was when they got to sit in President Bush’s chair. We appreciate our partnership with The George & Barbara Bush Foundation and look forward to additional opportunities in the future! HC Leading the Way!
  • Soochow University Partners with HC

    Last week, we were delighted to welcome four Taiwanese undergraduate university students to our campus. These students aspire to become teachers and are pursuing education as their field of choice. Dr. Lee, a professor at Soochow University in Taiwan, has been organizing visits for his students to HC since 2014. Out of the four students, three are focused on English, and one is interested in pursuing a career in math education. Dr. Lee's objective was to expose them to different teaching styles, and what better place than HC with our exceptional faculty? We see this as another way we steward our God-given gifts to invest in others. HC leading the way!
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Quick Links

Programs of Distinction

List of 4 items.

  • Distinguished Scholars Program

    The Distinguished Scholars Program provides high-achieving students with an enhanced learning environment where they can explore and build the skill set needed to become the next generation of leaders. Mirroring collegiate graduate programs, Scholars select a topic of choice to research mastering the building blocks of communication as they strive to learn more and explore different perspectives culminating in a written thesis and oral defense.

    Click here to learn more.
  • Passport to Lead

    All Houston Christian students participate in the Passport to Lead program. Those who are able to exhibit their engagement with an understanding of the leadership outcomes will be recognized with a leadership distinction on their diploma at the culmination of the four-year journey. Passport to Lead began in the fall of 2006 to lead, monitor, and evaluate program effectiveness.

    Click here to learn more. 
     
  • Innovation Studies

    We understand innovation as the process of creating thoughtful solutions to important questions. Innovation runs throughout the story of Houston Christian’s beginning and its remarkable growth. As our world is everchanging, we see the need for industry, finance, governments, and educators to innovate. This experience confirmed our belief that cultivating an innovative mindset is essential to equip our students to shape their future. We are intentionally integrating innovation into the Houston Christian leadership experience.   

    Click here to learn more. 
  • International Student Leadership Program

    The International Student Leadership Program brings together future leaders through the study of the world’s most impactful leaders and how they accomplished their life’s work. You will conduct case studies, cultural analysis, and develop your own leadership philosophy so you can walk into any scenario with confidence. 

    Click here to learn more. 

Contact

List of 6 members.

  • Photo of Mindy Dickerson

    Mindy Dickerson 

    Director of The George and Barbara Bush Center for Scholars and Leaders
  • Photo of Scott Cubbler

    Scott Cubbler 

    Passport to Lead Program Director
  • Photo of Patricia Droz

    Patricia Droz 

    Distinguished Scholars Program Director
  • Photo of Lisa Hawkins

    Lisa Hawkins 

    Innovation Programs Associate Director
    713-580-6070
  • Photo of Jenny Honeck

    Jenny Honeck 

    Instructor, ISLP/Leadership
    713-580-6053
  • Photo of Jenna LaFlamme

    Jenna LaFlamme 

    Distinguished Scholars Program Assistant Director; Instructor