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 the better.
 
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 at which leadership skills are taught is around ten years after starting 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.

  • Houston Christian Distinguished Scholars Present Capstone Research Projects

    Houston Christian High School proudly recognizes its Distinguished Scholars Program (DSP) seniors for the completion and presentation of their capstone research projects. Representing months of in-depth study, analysis, and mentorship, these projects highlight the program’s commitment to academic excellence and real-world engagement.

    The Class of 2026 DSP cohort explored a diverse range of topics across disciplines, demonstrating both intellectual curiosity and a desire to address complex issues. Gracie Cervantes examined the influence of parasocial relationships and social media influencers on adolescent political thought, while Mia Chieng explored the connection between classical aesthetics and modern musical theatre through the concept of rasa.
    Lauren Dickerson’s research investigated the evolutionary benefits of neurodiversity in the Paleolithic era, and Olivia Donohue analyzed plant identification within the Voynich manuscript across historical and cultural contexts. Tully Florey focused on factors contributing to declining test scores among Texas students, while Bekah Gerard studied the effects of distress and eustress on memory retrieval in adolescents.

    Owen Hawthorne presented research on CRISPR-mediated immunotherapy, and James Hintz conducted a longitudinal analysis on resilience in Houston’s Galleria area through major weather events, including Hurricane Harvey and Winter Storm Uri. Ellen Moore examined international adoption systems, including the role of the Hague Convention and global practices.

    In addition to their capstone presentations, two students received special recognition beyond the school community. Owen Hawthorne and James Hintz were selected for publication on the TED-Ed Student Talks platform, an honor that highlights the quality and impact of their research on a global stage.

    The Distinguished Scholars Program at Houston Christian is designed to challenge students to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage meaningfully with the world around them. This year’s cohort exemplifies those goals, showcasing not only academic achievement but also a commitment to thoughtful leadership and lifelong learning.
  • Houston Christian Hosts Women in Business & Law Panel to Inspire Future Leaders

    Houston Christian High School welcomed a distinguished group of female leaders to campus for its Women in Business & Law Panel, providing students with the opportunity to hear firsthand from professionals across a variety of industries. The event created space for meaningful conversation around leadership, career pathways, and the challenges and opportunities facing women in today’s workplace.

    The panel featured Cecile Reynolds, Gindi Vincent, Lauren Scott Solomon, Leanne Messer, and Michaela Glover, each bringing unique experiences from fields including law, energy, engineering, education, and entrepreneurship.

    Throughout the panel, students engaged with topics such as navigating male-dominated industries, the importance of mentorship, balancing career and family life, and adapting to change in an evolving workforce. Panelists also offered practical advice on interviewing, career development, and pursuing opportunities with confidence and integrity.

    One highlight of the discussion included reflections on career journeys, with panelists sharing that their paths were not always linear, but shaped by perseverance, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace new challenges. Students also gained insight into how innovation and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, are influencing today’s professional landscape.

    Following the panel, students had the opportunity to connect more personally with speakers during a time of conversation and networking, allowing for deeper engagement and mentorship.

    Events like the Women in Business & Law Panel reflect Houston Christian’s commitment to preparing students for life beyond the classroom. By connecting students with experienced professionals, the school continues to foster leadership, confidence, and a strong sense of purpose in the next generation.
  • When Linear Regression Takes Flight: DSP 9 Students Put Statistics to the Test

    Linear regression came to life in DSP 9 this week as students transformed statistical modeling into a hands-on engineering challenge. Under the guidance of Mr. Copeland, their trusted DSP advisor, students were tasked with predicting how many rubber bands would allow a water balloon dropped from the football bleachers to fall within one meter of the ground without hitting it.

    Armed with data, formulas, and careful calculations, students built models, tested hypotheses, and refined their predictions. The results were as exciting as they were instructive. Some balloons burst on impact, others missed the target by mere inches, and one group calculated the drop with perfect precision.

    Beyond the thrill of the experiment, the activity reinforced a deeper purpose within the DSP curriculum. Experiences like this are part of a larger, intentional approach to teaching statistics, one that begins in freshman year and builds in complexity over time. Students learn to interpret data, evaluate methodology, and engage in research with confidence, laying a foundation that supports literature reviews in the coming years and prepares them for the advanced statistical reasoning required for original senior research.

    By turning abstract concepts into tangible experiences, DSP empowers students to see the real-world applications of their learning and proves that sometimes, the best way to understand statistics is to let it fly.
Archive

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. 

Leadership & Faculty for Scholars & Leaders

Mindy Dickerson
Executive Director of The Bush Center for Scholars and Leaders
mdickerson@houstonchristian.org
Texas A&M University - B.S.
University of Houston - M.Ed.
Scott Cubbler
Passport to Lead Program Director; Leadership Studies Instructor
scubbler@houstonchristian.org
Trinity University - B.S.
Naval Postgraduate School - Homeland Defense
Jenna LaFlamme 
Distinguished Scholars Program Director; Distinguished Scholars Program Instructor; English Instructor
jlaflamme@houstonchristian.org
Eastern Connecticut State University - B.A.
Sacred Heart University - M.A.T.
Justice Harvey Brown
Adjunct Faculty
The University of Texas - B.S.

The University of Texas - J.D.
Serving HC Since 2024
Melinda Lamoreaux
George & Barbara Bush Foundation Liaison
Kansas State University - B.B.M.
Serving HC Since 2024
Lisa Hawkins 
Innovation Programs Associate Director; Department Chair, Science; Innovation Studies Instructor; Science Instructor
Email
University of North Carolina-Greensboro - B.A.
Montana State University - M.S.
Serving HC Since 2021
Michael Bredeweg 
Science Instructor; Innovation Studies Instructor; Tennis Assistant Coach
Email
Grand Valley State University - B.S.
Grand Valley State University - M.Ed.
Serving HC Since 2017
Matthew Copeland 
Math Instructor; Distinguished Scholars Program Advisor
Email
Louisiana State University - B.S.
Serving HC Since 2022
Jeff Faircloth 
Bible Instructor; Leadership Instructor; JV Baseball Head Coach; Football Assistant Coach; JV Football Head Coach
Email
Sam Houston State University - B.S.
Sam Houston State University - M.A.
Serving HC Since 2015
Whit Goodwin 
Bible Instructor; Leadership Instructor; Baseball Assistant Coach
Email
Samford University - B.A.
Samford University - M.Div
The University of Alabama - M.A.
Azusa Pacific University - Ph.D.
Serving HC Since 2025
Darrin Hanson 
Social Sciences Instructor; Distinguished Scholars Program Instructor
Email
Grove City College - B.A.
University of Nebraska - M.A.
The University of Texas - Ph.D.
Serving HC Since 2025
Kelly Oliver 
English Instructor; Distinguished Scholars Program Instructor
Email
University of Kansas - B.A.
University of Houston - M.A.
Sam Houston State University - Ed.D.
Serving HC Since 2022
Jeff Rollins 
Leadership Studies Instructor
Email
Wheaton College - B.A.
National University - M.A.
Serving HC Since 2024
Mike Skinner 
Chaplain; Distinguished Scholars Program Advisor
Email
Houston Baptist University - B.A.
Houston Baptist University - M.A.
Serving HC Since 2022