The Hiatt Center
Celebrating 20 years of building leaders for social impact
The Hiatt Center expands the nature of school by leveraging creativity & design for social impact. It isn’t a physical center; it is a mindset, an incubator, a place for belonging, and a collaborative. In other words, it’s a fully integrated program that gives our students the resources to lead and effect change.
The Hiatt Center’s core tenets of leadership, civic engagement, and social justice intersect with the school’s emphasis on technology, creativity, entrepreneurship, and DEIJ, giving our community the tools and agency to move from dialogue to action. This unique approach moves us from a traditional community service mindset towards strength-based empowerment. Deeper learning, authentic collaboration, and meaningful action—powered by students, faculty, and community partners—are our collective purpose.
How we do this work
All Beaver students experience the work of the Hiatt Center through curriculum, programming, or partnerships—or a combination of all three!
Students view the Hiatt Center as a resource to inspire, deepen, & discover meaningful work they are invested in; teachers partner with the Hiatt Center to enrich their coursework with real-world examples & experiences.
Liz Latour, Director of the Hiatt Center
Hiatt in the Classroom
Students experience community engagement opportunities through the classroom that lead to deeper learning, authentic connections and projects, and meaningful community change.
Hiatt Student Programming
The Hiatt Center offers intentional, layered 6 to 12 programming designed to meet students where they are and move them forward in their journey as global citizens, leaders, and change-makers. This is in addition to what all students experience through the curriculum.
During the academic year, students are invited to opt-in to a series of monthly workshops. Through these workshops, students will build skills and deepen their understanding of leadership, civic engagement, and social justice. The workshops are flexible so students may sign up for a single workshop that interests them or engage in the entire series. Participation in six or more workshops will award students with a Hiatt Leadership Institute Certificate of Completion.
Workshop dates below are tentative for 2026-27. Students will receive the most up-to-date info via their Beaver email and at weekly MS meetings. Parents and caregivers will be notified via the monthly newsletters and weekly email updates. The website will be updated to reflect changes as they come.
26-27 Workshops
The Hidden Network
The Hidden Network
Just like an entire forest is secretly linked by threads of fungus beneath the soil, we’re already woven into a web of connection, whether we notice it or not. Discover the invisible ties that already bind you to the people around you.September 28, 8–9 a.m.
Roots of Mutual Flourishing
Roots of Mutual Flourishing
Trees across an entire forest can fruit in perfect sync, because they look out for one another and share resources to all thrive together. Explore what it means to know that you’re flourishing and that your neighbors are tied together, whether you can see the connection or not.October 26, 8–9 a.m.
Rooted on Purpose
Rooted on Purpose
Corn, beans, and squash don’t support each other by accident, Indigenous farmers designed it that way. Learn how care and reciprocity are things we can choose to build on purpose together.November 16 8–9 a.m.
First, the Gift
First, the Gift
Wild Strawberries show up every spring, unearned and freely given. Unpack what it means to receive freely, and how gratitude for what we’re given can turn into generosity toward others. (should we say something about gift economy vs market economy)December 14, 8–9 a.m.
The Social Justice Retreat
The Social Justice Retreat
Our Beaver community is committed to the work of social justice. The Hiatt Center is honored to host you for a full day of reflection, learning, and collective imagination.January 29 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
Sweet Reciprocity
Sweet Reciprocity
Inside a single maple tree, the roots feed the leaves, and the leaves feed the roots right back, and, as a process, the maple tree provides the world with the amazing maple syrup. Turn the lens inward and ask: what does reciprocity look like within yourself, between rest and effort, self-care and caring for others?February 22, 8–9 a.m.
Unlikely Partners
Unlikely Partners
Algae and fungus are two totally different organisms merged so closely they survive as one and create Lichen. Discover how real strength doesn’t come from sameness, it comes from different people bringing their whole selves into a relationship with each other. **Learning about something but they can only sense it.**March 29, 8–9 a.m.
Wise Old Trees
Wise Old Trees
An old-growth forest isn’t just an older forest, it’s a completely different kind of community where every layer, every role, and even every fallen tree matters. Reflect on what it takes to build a community mature enough to make room for everyone.April 26, 8–9 a.m.
Let it Burn
Let it Burn
Fire looks like destruction but done with knowledge and care, it clears space for new life to grow. Indigenous communities view fire as a vital form of “medicine” to care for and live in harmony with the land. Wrestle with the idea that real care and real justice, sometimes requires disruption before renewal.May 17, 8–9 a.m.
The Hiatt Summer Fellowship (HSF) provides returning Beaver students (grades 6-11) the financial support to take the initiative to explore and participate in meaningful leadership and civic engagement opportunities with non-profit organizations during the summer. The experience serves as a launching point for deeper learning. Students are encouraged to connect their Summer Fellowship to learning in the classroom and/or by pursuing a Student-Directed Project in the Upper School.
A HSF experience can be a student-designed nonprofit internship or participation in a community-based program. While engaging in this work, students agree to positively represent Beaver, act professionally, and demonstrate growth in communication and leadership skills.
Students will be awarded $7/hour for volunteer work to a maximum amount of $1,000 per summer. Hours will be recorded and logged by students each week and submitted through Google Classroom. Checks in the full amount will be sent home in September. We can reimburse families for certain program costs up to $1,000. [Note: Hiatt cannot provide or reimburse transportation or supply costs; consider this when choosing your experience. Students are eligible for reduced-fare bus/T monthly passes of $26/month]
The Hiatt Independent Afternoon Opportunity allows for students to volunteer at a nonprofit after school for seven hours per week. Many students choose a nonprofit based on an established relationship they have with an organization. They may also meet with someone in the Hiatt Center to brainstorm ideas. This afternoon program does not take place on campus, and it is up to the student to arrange for transportation to the volunteer site.
During the term, students write a reflection describing their volunteer experience. You can read more about it here.
Students who sign up for this activity must complete this learning agreement by the end of the first week of the term during which they will volunteer. The student will determine their schedule with the nonprofit pending approval from Ms. Latour in the Hiatt Center.
Each year, Beaver students attend conferences with financial support from the Hiatt Center including the Harvard Women in Business BOLD Conference, Empower Peace Women2Women International Leadership Program, NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference, City School Social Justice Leadership Institute, McKinsey Youth Leadership Forum, and more. After these experiences, students are often inspired to do a Student Directed Project or lead a social impact project.
Our Partners
We have developed longstanding, mutually-beneficial partnerships with various organizations in the greater Boston area (and beyond). Partners include:
The Hiatt Center Team
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Haeyoung Koh
Assistant Director of the Hiatt Center
Haeyoung Koh
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Liz Latour
Director of the Hiatt Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement
Liz Latour
As the Director of the Hiatt Center, I work with students to develop leadership skills, engage with the community, and promote social justice. I also lead our efforts to build mutually beneficial, sustainable partnerships between Beaver and the greater community that deepen student learning and promote a socially just world. This work is particularly exciting at Beaver, where our students are developing cutting-edge design and innovation skills that can be used to make our world a better place. Opportunities at this intersection of technology and social justice elevate our work in the community beyond a traditional service model. In addition, I am an advisor to Upper School students and coach the girls’ varsity lacrosse team. This is an incredible platform to help young people reach their full potential.
Before Beaver, I evaluated youth programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and dedicated a year of service through the Massachusetts Promise Fellowship, an AmeriCorps program that delivers key resources to young people. I am originally from Central New York, where I studied government and sociology at St. Lawrence University. I received a Master’s of Science in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University.