Former Principal Hassan Elected as SYA President
Tom Hassan, who retired as Exeter’s principal instructor at the end of the 2014-2015 school year, was appointed as the President of School Year Abroad (SYA) on Friday, Nov. 13. Hassan will begin his tenure in June of 2016.
SYA’s press release named the choice an exciting one. The organization’s Board of Trustees Chair Kenneth Krushel said the board approved Hassan’s appointment unanimously. “The breadth and depth of [Hassan’s] experience is inspiring…. [He is an] educator whose work is defined by formidable leadership skill, strength of purpose and passion for global education,” all of which Krushel said will serve SYA’s mission well.
Considered one of the nation’s leaders in high school study abroad programs, SYA has schools in China, France, Italy and Spain. Their program allows students to “better understand world politics, to grasp pressing socio-economic concepts and to be informed and seasoned citizens of the world.” Phillips Exeter is one of three founding charter member schools of SYA along with Phillips Academy and St. Paul’s School. Each of these schools have a representative on the board who work to grow and develop SYA nationally and in their respective institutions.
“It was more weird than shocking for me because I just got done saying goodbye to Hassan, and now he’s back.”
Hassan said that SYA has always intrigued him as a “unique study abroad program.”
“Its mission of immersing students in a global experience and living in a specific culture resonates with the global outreach work I supported while principal at PEA,” he said.
He added that serving as president of SYA will allow him the flexibility he required to support his wife as a public official and a contender in New Hampshire’s next election for U.S. Senate. “I am excited to begin this work next summer and continue to evolve the transformative SYA experience that touches hundreds of students each year, including several Exonians,” he said.
In shaping the future of SYA, Hassan is looking to “evolve the transformative SYA experience,” which includes involving more students annually.
Exeter students currently in SYA echo Hassan’s intentions for the organization. Upper Kesi Wilson said that SYA has a lot of potential to grow, particularly in China, where she is currently studying. “[Since] SYA is a great organization,” she said, “SYA definitely has lots of potential to be widespread, reach a plethora of people, and offer extended stays in so many different places.”
Those who worked with Hassan during his time at Exeter said that he will be capable of handling this new position with ease.
Assistant Principal Ronald Kim, who served as dean of faculty during Hassan’s time at the Academy, said his wealth of experience in various positions of managing operations at Exeter and getting to know “a large complex school will provide SYA with a lot of experience and previous leadership.”
SYA has maintained a close relationship with the Academy during its fifty years of operation. Because of this connection, Kim said that his selection as President was “very fitting.”
Modern language instructor and Exeter’s current SYA coordinator Joseph Reiter also agreed with Kim. “I am sure he has ideas and projects in mind that will enhance and expand SYA,” Reiter said.
During his time as principal at Exeter, Hassan worked to expand SYA’s science curriculum and increase service opportunities within the program. Reiter is “looking forward to working with [Hassan] as PEA’s coordinator for SYA.”
Though enthusiastic about his new role, current Exonians enrolled in SYA expressed surprise upon hearing of the decision. Most were under the impression that he he was entering retirement after leaving the Academy.
Upper Kelvin Green, a current SYA student in China, said that he was “shocked” to hear the news, which he found after it was shared by an alumnus on Facebook. “It was only last year that I was shocked by the news that he would be stepping down at Exeter. Who knew he would take on a new position so quickly?” he said.
Upper Kesi Wilson agreed. “The announcement was surprising because I had assumed that, after his tenure at Exeter, he would be pursuing something less demanding, specifically because I had heard he was doing so in part for his wife,” she said.
Upper Ore Solanke, who is currently studying abroad in Spain, was also surprised by the quick and unexpected professional turnaround. She said that the decision was not discussed extensively and students were unaware that SYA was searching for a new president. “It was more weird than shocking for me because I just got done saying goodbye to Hassan, and now he’s back,” she said.
Despite their surprise at the news, students interviewed who are currently on their school year abroad expressed confidence in Hassan’s abilities to lead SYA. Upper Elaney Ortiz said that her reaction and that of others in Spain was a positive one. While she initially quipped that it was another reminder that she couldn’t “escape Exeter,” she said she loved the connection Exeter shares with SYA and was “so glad to have Principal Hassan back. It seems like a great fit. [Hassan] ran Exeter incredibly, and I know he’ll be even greater at SYA.”