About Jen
I spent 17 years helping students become leaders. Now I'm helping schools build programs that let them lead.
After 17 years as a Director of Student Activities, I saw firsthand what happens when student leadership programs have strong structure, clear expectations, and opportunities for students to take real ownership. I also saw how easily advisors can become the people doing everything.
SPARZ Leadership grew out of that experience. My goal is simple: give advisors practical tools and students the structure they need to lead with confidence, take ownership, and build programs that continue from one group of leaders to the next.
EXPERIENCE THAT SHAPED SPARZ
17 years of learning what makes student leadership work.
For 17 years, I served as a Director of Student Activities, working directly with students and advisors to build leadership programs, plan events, and create opportunities for students to lead. Along the way, I learned what helps student leadership programs thrive—and what happens when too much responsibility falls on the advisor.
2025
Michigan Student Activities Advisor of the Year
Michigan Association of Student Councils & Honor Societies (MASC/MAHS)
10+ YEARS
Kensington Lakes Activities Association President
Leadership within one of Michigan's major high school activity associations
17 YEARS
Director of Student Activities
Public high school student leadership & activities
My experience shaped a simple belief: students are capable of more when we give them the structure, support, and opportunity to lead.
Students don't need us to do leadership for them.
They need us to give them the opportunity to practice it.
That's why I created SPARZ Leadership.
WHY SPARZ EXISTS
I saw what happened when students were given the chance to truly lead.
After 17 years as a Director of Student Activities, I learned something pretty simple: students are capable of far more than we sometimes give them credit for.
But I also saw how easily advisors can end up doing too much—planning the events, solving the problems, managing the details, and carrying the program.
I wanted to create something different.
SPARZ Leadership gives students the structure and tools to actually do the work of leading, while giving advisors a practical framework they can use without starting from scratch every year.
THE PERSON BEHIND SPARZ LEADERSHIP
I believe student leadership should be meaningful, practical, and fun.
MEANINGFUL
Students should have opportunities to do work that matters—not just fill a position or check a box
PRACTICAL
Leadership is something students learn by doing: planning, communicating, making decisions, solving problems, and following through.
FUN
Students should actually enjoy being part of their leadership program. Connection and relationships matter.
My goal is simple.
Help schools build student leaders who are ready to lead—and advisors who don't have to do it all themselves.
LET'S BUILD STRONGER STUDENT LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
If you're ready for students to take more ownership—and for advisors to stop carrying it all—let's talk.