Give Back to the Place Where it All Started: Join an NHA-Partner School Board
National Heritage AcademiesNational Heritage Academies
Articles by National Heritage
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Published: Jul 07, 2025
Did you know that each National Heritage Academies® (NHA®)-partner school is governed by an independent Board of Directors?
These volunteer boards are made up of community members who give their time, experience, and perspective to help ensure strong, high-quality school options for families. From time to time, boards ask for our help in identifying individuals who may be interested in serving.
As an NHA alum, you bring a unique perspective – you’ve experienced your school firsthand. That insight can be valuable as boards make decisions that impact students and families today and for years to come.
Board service is a meaningful way to stay connected and contribute to the school community. Board members have opportunities to engage in school events. They can also provide meaningful support to students and staff.
Board members come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. What they share is a willingness to engage, contribute thoughtfully, and support the success of the school community. For some, it can also serve as a resume builder and an opportunity to expand their network.
Responsibilities typically include supporting school leadership, providing financial and academic oversight, and helping to ensure the school’s long-term stability and success. Commitment varies by school, but most boards meet monthly or every other month for one to two hours.
“The most rewarding part (of being on my school board) is knowing that I have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of our future leaders. By sharing my experiences and helping shape an environment that maximizes the potential of the students who learn there every day, I hope to leave a lasting impression on their futures.”
– Jonathan Blanchard, Alumnus, Linden Charter Academy, Flint, MI
“Having a familiarity from the inside and lived experience within the school empowers me to ask more questions and often different questions, because I have an outside-in and inside-out perspective.”
– Carly Couchenour, Alumna, Vanguard Charter Academy, Wyoming, MI
“Being an alum gives me a lived understanding of the culture students experience day to day. I remember what it felt like to walk those hallways, interact with teachers, and navigate school life as a student. That perspective can help highlight how certain policies or decisions might actually feel on the ground for students, not just how they look on paper.”
– Devon Wilson, Alumnus, Endeavor Charter Academy, Battle Creek, MI
If this is something you’d like to learn more about, or if you know someone who may be interested, you can reach out to boardrelations@nhaschools.com. We would be glad to connect you with next steps. We are grateful for the role you continue to play in the broader NHA community.
These volunteer boards are made up of community members who give their time, experience, and perspective to help ensure strong, high-quality school options for families. From time to time, boards ask for our help in identifying individuals who may be interested in serving.
As an NHA alum, you bring a unique perspective – you’ve experienced your school firsthand. That insight can be valuable as boards make decisions that impact students and families today and for years to come.
Board service is a meaningful way to stay connected and contribute to the school community. Board members have opportunities to engage in school events. They can also provide meaningful support to students and staff.
Board members come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. What they share is a willingness to engage, contribute thoughtfully, and support the success of the school community. For some, it can also serve as a resume builder and an opportunity to expand their network.
Responsibilities typically include supporting school leadership, providing financial and academic oversight, and helping to ensure the school’s long-term stability and success. Commitment varies by school, but most boards meet monthly or every other month for one to two hours.
NHA Alum Board Member Testimonials
“The most rewarding part (of being on my school board) is knowing that I have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of our future leaders. By sharing my experiences and helping shape an environment that maximizes the potential of the students who learn there every day, I hope to leave a lasting impression on their futures.”– Jonathan Blanchard, Alumnus, Linden Charter Academy, Flint, MI
“Having a familiarity from the inside and lived experience within the school empowers me to ask more questions and often different questions, because I have an outside-in and inside-out perspective.”
– Carly Couchenour, Alumna, Vanguard Charter Academy, Wyoming, MI
“Being an alum gives me a lived understanding of the culture students experience day to day. I remember what it felt like to walk those hallways, interact with teachers, and navigate school life as a student. That perspective can help highlight how certain policies or decisions might actually feel on the ground for students, not just how they look on paper.”
– Devon Wilson, Alumnus, Endeavor Charter Academy, Battle Creek, MI