MERCERSBURG — Emily Schoenberger, a 2015 graduate of Mercersburg Academy, has been appointed the school’s director of civic engagement for the 2025-2026 academic year, the academy announced. She will also serve as head of the history department, taking on dual roles that highlight her deep ties to the institution and community.
Schoenberger, who returned to Mercersburg to teach while earning her M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from Penn State, succeeds Allison Stephens, a longtime faculty member transitioning toward retirement. In addition to her new responsibilities, Schoenberger will continue her roles as a dorm dean in Swank Hall and as a history teacher.
“I have lived in Mercersburg for most of my life, and I’ve been a part of the Mercersburg Academy community for nearly as long,” Schoenberger said. “Taking on this role means that I will be able to impact the civic learning experiences of everyone in our community, not only the students in my classes.”
Her passion for civic education stems from her time on the Civic Engagement Task Force during the 2023-2024 school year and her graduate studies, which emphasized civic education. Schoenberger learned of the combined director and department head role when applying for the latter, seeing it as a natural fit for her interests in political science, history, and community involvement.
At Mercersburg, civic engagement is defined as “the study and cultivation of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential to participate as a well-informed, engaged member within a community, a nation, and the world.” Schoenberger simplifies this to: “How do I be a good citizen?” She views the school’s role as preparing students to become engaged citizens through practice and discussion during their time at Mercersburg.
In the short term, Schoenberger plans to build on the foundation laid by Stephens and Nicole Brown, overseeing the Civics Student Advisory Board, collaborating with faculty to integrate civic education, and hosting events like debate watch parties and current events teas. Long term, she aims to create a lasting civic education program that remains a cornerstone of the academy’s mission.
“Civics is imbued in almost everything we do here at Mercersburg,” Schoenberger said. “This new role is both daunting and hugely exciting.”
