For more than 30 years, Charisse Hilton has dedicated her time to students within the Canyons District. She began her career as a Social Studies teacher, after earning her BA in History from BYU, then climbed the ranks after earning her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from BYU to work as a high school assistant principal, high school principal, middle school principal and currently a Canyons District Administrator. In addition to her many years of varied experience in schools, Charisse also served (and continues to serve) in many educational associations, along with volunteer work. She was the Utah State Director of Student Leadership from 2006-2021, serves on the UASSP (Utah Association of Secondary School Principals) as a Board member since 2006 and has served as a Board Member, Vice-President and President of the National Student Leadership Directors Association. Charisse’s many volunteer organizations include Millie’s Princess Foundation (fights childhood cancer), Sandy Rotary and Boys and Girls clubs, and the Salt Lake Area Gang Project who named her the Outstanding Project Director in 2021 for her work with the CSD Peer Court.

This lifelong commitment to working with students of all ages has been the inspiration for the Canyons District Peer Court, spearheaded by Charisse Hilton. Peer Court has proven to be the linchpin in addressing the upswing in emerging and challenging student behaviors within the District. Since its inception, Canyons Peer Court has heard hundreds of cases, becoming one of the most effective Peer Courts in the state. Charisse was awarded the 2023 Apex Award as District Administrator of the Year for her work as the driving force behind Peer Court.