Senior Leadership
Description of Senior Leadership Positions
Below, please read the following descriptions of different leadership positions. We provide these definitions to you all to inform you as you complete your junior leadership survey, on which you will be asked to indicate your interest for certain positions that are determined through student and faculty input. As was emphasized at the recent Community Life meeting, there are many ways to lead as a senior, and while these positions come with responsibilities and expectations, leadership is determined by the actions that one takes and not by the title that one has.
Alumni Ambassador
The goal of the Alumni Ambassador position is to connect current students with the history of the School and build the foundation that will sustain their class as future alumni. Throughout the course of the year, students will learn about the alumni body as well as the vital role of the Annual Fund in their day-to-day life. Alumni Ambassadors help out the Alumni and Development Office with a wide array of events during the year such as registration and event planning for Parents’ Weekend, Alumni Weekend and MXGives, the annual Middlesex giving day. In addition, these students will educate and coordinate outreach to their classmates on behalf of the Annual Fund through the Senior Class Gift each spring. Furthermore, each student will assist the Alumni and Development staff with thank you notes, projects such as plaque interviews and care packages for young alumni during office hour blocks throughout the year. They will also participate in some archival organization and research work with the assistance of the School Archivist.
Community Service Officer
Community Service Officers are the face of the community service program at Middlesex School. The group will work closely with the Dean’s office and Paul Torres and have a regular meeting to discuss service initiatives on the Middlesex campus and beyond. Community Service Officers will participate enthusiastically in MX service programs, respond to global initiatives, organize fundraisers, and help facilitate programs such as Open Table and Gazebo. Community Service Officers play an integral part in Community Service Day in the fall and spring, and they help organize and execute various events throughout the year (Sled Hockey, Heading Home, Toys for Tots, etc.). They are expected to be present at Community Service related events throughout the year.
Chapel Trustee
The Chapel Trustees represent, reflect, and respond to the spiritual and ethical concerns of the student body. We meet weekly in the fall and then monthly in the winter and spring to organize the new student Chapel orientation, run evening Chapels for underclassmen, host fall and spring dinner discussions, run the Haiku contest, and film Chapel each week. The Chapel Trustees are proactive and creative in helping Ms. Smedley discern and address the spiritual and ethical needs of the Middlesex community.
E-Proctors (Environmental Proctors)
E-Proctors, or Environmental Proctors, is the perfect role for students who wish to help move Middlesex in the right direction when it comes to topics of sustainability and environmental responsibility. Their goal is to create and facilitate awareness on campus of ways that Middlesex can move towards a more sustainable future. Leaders would work alongside administration, Senate, and Common Sense Club. E-Proctors would implement one sustainability project or change per semester, meet biweekly to discuss progress and collaborate, set “Green Goals” for the community, direct the composting program, and facilitate smart recycling within the community. The E-Proctors would work with Ms. Irwin to educate Middlesex students on our environmental impact as individuals and a community.
Equity & Inclusion Officer
Equity & Inclusion Officers are the driving force behind social justice initiatives at Middlesex School. The group will meet bi-weekly to discuss issues of equity, justice, and inclusion on the Middlesex campus and beyond. This leadership cohort will be trained in facilitation on a wide array of diversity initiatives, and will be expected to lead the student community in areas of equity and inclusion. They will also be asked to assist in facilitation of new student orientation and the Community Life Programming. Additionally, Equity and Inclusion Officers will work in conjunction with other student organizations such as GSA, Chapel Trustees, AZN, MX Fam, Community Service Officers, etc.
Head Tour Guide
Head Tour Guide is a leadership role open to those students who, through their positive contributions to the MX community, have demonstrated an understanding of leadership, responsibility, and altruism that represents our student body, demonstrates our shared values, and matches our overall school mission. Head Tour Guides will have the opportunity to give tours, assist new tour guide training, attend nearby fairs/receptions, and support the admissions office during on-campus events. With responsibilities divided evenly, the Head Tour Guides will work together and learn from the officers over regular group lunches, an experience that will culminate in Head Tour Guide Reading Day, an opportunity to read applications, meet as an admissions committee, and experience the decision-making process for yourself.
Mindfulness Ambassador
Mindfulness Ambassadors will focus on supporting the Middlesex community in accessing, understanding, and practicing mindfulness – in order to enhance the health, well-being, and resilience of the community members so they can thrive in the face of the personal, relational, and global challenges. Responsibilities will include: occasionally lead mindfulness practices, lead introductory mindfulness sessions during orientation for new students, support students in setting up and navigating the 10% Happier app, co-lead (with Doug Worthen) one of the mindfulness courses for freshmen in the 1st semester, meet to practice guiding meditation and discuss relevant community issues/topics, highly encouraged to attend a mindfulness retreat the summer before senior year (or during a school break over senior year) – funding provided. The Mindfulness Ambassadors will be critical in connecting with younger students and helping them find balance and healthy ways to navigate their time at Middlesex.
Peer Support
Peer Support meets weekly for the first four months of the school year, and then once or twice a month for the second half of the year. Peer supporters act primarily as a support to new students transitioning to the Middlesex community. As such, Peer Support work begins over the summer with “welcome” letters and phone calls to incoming students. Further, Peer Support plays a strong role in new student orientation. In addition, peer supporters lead/host community-wide events and activities with the goal of fostering a positive connection to the community and each other, and an open, accepting environment. In addition to co-facilitating a Choices group with faculty members, Peer Support organizes Random Dance, as well as a series of Wellness Workshops.
Peer Support members must feel comfortable working with younger members of the community, both individually, and in groups. Though at no time does a peer supporter act as a “therapist”, you will at times be supporting individuals who may be struggling with homesickness, workload issues, social situations, stress, loneliness, etc. Weekly (and then bi-weekly) Peer Support meetings will have the following goals: 1) plan and organize events (i.e. Random Dance, Wellness Workshops), 2) discuss the implementation of skills related to organizing and facilitating groups, like Choices, and 3) identify and discuss scenarios related to supporting new students.
Proctor
Proctors work closely with dormitory and day house faculty to foster community, enthusiasm, well-being, and a sense of belonging within their dorm or house. Proctors serve as role models, confidants, and support systems within their houses and in the greater MX community. Proctors meet weekly with their Head of House to discuss the life and pulse of the dorm or house. Proctors also have “on duty” times, in which they aid in the supervision and administration of dormitory study hours or campus spaces (such as the library) during evening hours. Aspiring Proctors should feel strongly about the need to create a positive community and should be generous both of time and spirit.
Student Activities Officer
Student Activities Officers are responsible for choosing, planning, and executing the school’s weekend and social events. The committee meets biweekly with Brenna Morrissey to discuss events, come up with ideas,and divide responsibilities. Each student will be responsible for one weekend each semester where they are expected to be on campus and facilitate or come up with activity ideas. Student Activities Officers should be detail-oriented, responsible, and enthusiastic about planning and attending fun events for our whole range of students. Though many annual events – such as Square Dance, Casino Night, and Field Day – are longstanding, creativity, energy, and outside-the-box thinking are most crucial to the success of the committeeand the activities we create. Student Activities officers should take seriously the culture building that comes with not only being a Senior Leader, but a Student Activities leader who can bring fun and enthusiasm to campus!
Wellness Ambassadors
Wellness Ambassadors will lead the School in its efforts to create a ‘culture of wellness’ at Middlesex. These leaders will be attuned to the health and wellness needs of the student body and act in conjunction with Meg McLaughlin, Director of Health Services, and the Administration to find both creative and practical ways to meet those needs. Wellness Ambassadors will complete a 12 hour training course over the summer to become a certified peer educator. They will meet biweekly to discuss current events and health and wellness issues that arise on campus. Wellness Ambassadors will brainstorm, plan, and facilitate annual Wellness Week activities and suggest new ideas and programming for the Middlesex community.
Other Leadership Positions and Opportunities
Sports captaincies and heads of student clubs and extracurricular programs are considered leadership positions. Sports captaincies, for one, are significant and require active and intentional leadership and direct, transparent communication with teammates and coaches alike. Leading a club or organization can also be quite significant, with some positions requiring considerable time, responsibility and student participation. These include, but are not limited to Editor of the Anvil, Editors of the Iris, Choral Officers, Heads of Freedom of Speech, Editors of the Yearbook, and leaders of an Affinity Group.