About Us
We were founded in 2015 by a group of Cleveland Heights-University Heights parents supported through the CHUH PTA Council. Dedicated to facilitating a safe, inclusive, community-focused school environment for all CHUH students through outreach and programming, we partner with Cleveland Heights and University Heights businesses and nonprofits.
MISSION STATEMENT
Building Heights develops and teaches hands-on learning experiences through the art of film. Our programs create opportunities for students to explore their individual and collective creativity, learn foundational skills in all aspects of the film industry, while nurturing their imagination, confidence and maturity.
Our Staff.
Jen Holland
Jen is a Co-Founder of Building Heights and Heights Middle School Shorts, and currently serves as Executive Director of Building Heights and Director of Programming for Heights Middle School Shorts. With nearly 20 years of involvement in CHUH student enrichment, she has held leadership roles including President of Roxboro PTA, Heights High PTSA, and CHUH PTA Councils Executive Board. Jen was also the former President of Building Heights.
She and her husband have lived in Cleveland Heights for 40+ years and are proud parents of four children in CH-UH schools, including one recent Cleveland Heights High School graduate.
Lance Godard
A Co-Founder of Building Heights and Heights Middle School Shorts, Lance is the Assistant Executive Director of Building Heights and Program Coordinator for Heights Middle School Shorts. He has been involved in the district’s student enrichment programs for many years through PTAs in four CHUH buildings and Building Heights. A long-standing student of film, Lance first participated in amateur productions while in college before studying film and film theory at the Sorbonne in grad school. He and his wife are the parents of two Cleveland Heights graduates and have lived in Cleveland Heights for more than 25 years.
Our Board.
Mariegabrielle James
Mariegabrielle is a Remy Cointreau Key Account Manager/Sales Specialist at the Republic National Distributing Company.
Mariegabrielle is a Heights alum, parent of students in the CHUH School District, as well as the immediate past President of the CHUH PTA Council for CHUH School District.
Cliff Sweeney
A Creative Arts Teacher at Lake Erie Ink, Cliff has been Principal Instructor at Heights Middle School Shorts for three years and is excited to join the HMSS leadership team.
Sara Wolf
Sarah is a licensed social worker in the state of Ohio, who currently serves as the Community-Building Programs Manager at FutureHeights in Cleveland Heights. Sarah is a writer, activist, community-builder, and strength-based leader with 28 years of professional experience in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
Angela Kirkland
Recently retired, Angela Kirkland taught middle school at Monticello for 23 years, where she was named Most Valuable Teacher, Team Leader, and Tiger Team Member of the Month multiple teams. In addition, she was advisor for Ladies of Leadership at Monticello, organizing a group of 30+ girls to participate in service learning activities in and out of school. Angela and her husband are business owners in Cleveland Heights.
Shelbi Nelson
Shelbi is a Registered Nurse, actor and mom of three children. When she is not working, her hobbies include weekly movies with her family. Shelbi is a native of California and now resides with her husband in Cleveland Heights.
Maureen Burns
Maureen Burns serves as Director of Programming for Playhouse Square. A long, long time ago, she taught junior high where she was inspired to support students through artistic and cultural opportunities in Northeast Ohio. When she’s not inside a theatre, she’s outdoors exploring the beauty of our community with her husband Phil and step-daughter Olivia.
Patrick Carpenter
Patrick Carpenter taught third grade at Oxford Elementary School and was building Title Lead before moving over to Noble Elementary School as building principal. Currently, he is an Ohio Department of Education and Workforce OhioReads Literacy Coach. He grew up in Cleveland before moving to the Heights. What he loves most about being in the Heights: the tremendous commitment of the community to the arts and arts education.