Growth Leads To New Positions

Over the past six years, Hillcrest Academy has experienced one of the more transformative seasons in the school’s history. Although the school’s mission of providing a Christ-centered education has remained the same, the way in which that mission is expressed has certainly grown. Through strategic changes and growth, Hillcrest has become poised to serve more students and families than ever before. Although growth and expansion are wonderful things, they do bring new needs. As the school has grown and evolved, the structure in which the school operates has also evolved. Our school is now serving a broader age range of students which requires greater coordination, more intentional student support systems, and additional leadership across academic programs and student life.

Nate Miller ‘96 becomes the 14th person to lead our institution, joining a leadership legacy that spans more than 80 years. As the new HEAD OF SCHOOL, he will provide overall leadership for Hillcrest Academy, guiding the school’s strategic vision and long-term planning while ensuring that its mission and values remain at the center of everything the school does. In close partnership with the Board, the Head of School oversees governance and board relations, helping to set priorities, evaluate progress, and position the school for continued growth and stability. The role also carries a primary responsibility for cultivating strong relationships with the broader Hillcrest community, including parents, alumni, supporters, and local partners. Along with being part of the fundraising team, the Head of School provides oversight for the school’s finances and facilities, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources and thoughtful planning for future needs. The Head of School also is the primary person overseeing human resources (staffing, hiring , and evaluations) along with completing all the State reporting and compliance with the Iowa Department of Education. 

Beth (Litwiller ’81) Swantz will transition from Middle School Director into the role of DEAN OF ACADEMICS. In this role she will be in charge of leading the academic program of the school, including ensuring that the curriculum, instructional methods, and course offerings facilitate high levels of student learning and are aligned with the mission and values of the school. This includes academic programming for both middle and high school, such as curriculum development, course planning, master schedule development, grading, and adherence to academic standards set by the state. The Dean of Academics  works closely with teachers to improve instructional methods through mentoring, observations, coaching, and professional development. 

Emma (Yoder ’11) Brenneman joins the Hillcrest team as the school’s new DEAN OF STUDENTS. In this role, Emma will provide logistical leadership in creating a positive, supportive, and Christ-centered culture for students in grades 6–12. This role is focused on supporting student development and well-being by helping to ensure that all students are able to live up to expectations through classroom management support for teachers, developing strong relationships with students and families, and working together with faculty and staff to maintain a healthy student environment through restorative discipline. By doing this, the Dean of Students is able to contribute to a stronger student experience overall, in line with the mission and values of Hillcrest Academy.