Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion, and Belonging

Meet the Team

Jayson Leigh

Assistant Dean of Students for Inclusion and Belonging

Ken Choo

Science Teacher and Asian Alliance Advisor

Nat Simpson

Spanish Teacher and International Student Coordinator

What are diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging?

顿颈惫别谤蝉颈迟测鈥�involves differences between social鈥痠dentity groups based on markers such as鈥痑bility, race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic鈥痵tatus, sexual orientation, gender identity,鈥痝ender expression, religion,鈥痑nd so much more鈥�(Adams, et.al., 2013).

Equity鈥痬eans every member of the 爆走黑料鈥痗ommunity receives what he, she, or they need鈥痶o thrive鈥痑cademically and socio-emotionally鈥�(Aguilar, 2020).

Inclusion鈥痠s the鈥痙eliberate act鈥痮f bringing people鈥痠nto the 爆走黑料 community, the community鈥痭orms, and into the opportunities that will allow for鈥痬eaningful鈥痯ursuit of happiness鈥�(Winkle-Wagner &鈥疞ocks, 2014).

Belonging鈥痳efers to a human need to feel鈥痵ecure, supported, and accepted in the鈥吆诹� community鈥痑s his, her, or their鈥痑uthentic self (Baldoni, 2017).

Programs and Events

students on quad doing project

Why Not Speak Day Every year, our entire community sets aside a full day for discussions about identity and inclusion. WNS Day features a keynote speaker and dozens of workshops run by students, faculty, and visiting presenters on topics including race, gender, identity, and belonging.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day听Through workshops, guest speakers, performances, and cross-cultural sharing, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Hispanic Heritage Month The 爆走黑料 community observes this month-long celebration through a community dinner, visiting performers, artwork and presentations by students, and more.

Lunar New Year/Spring Festival Celebration abounds during this meaningful time of year.

Stoling Ceremonies 爆走黑料 students and faculty take part in this meaningful new addition to our end-of-year ceremonies.

History Months and Additional Celebrations Throughout the Year Our community recognizes and celebrates diverse cultures all year long.

students cooking outdoors

DEIB Student Advisory Group

The DEIB Advisory Group is a selective leadership opportunity for juniors and seniors who apply and interview for membership. Working closely with the Dean of Inclusion and Belonging, these students help foster a community where everyone feels welcomed and valued. Members lead campus affinity groups, support DEIB events, speak at assemblies about their cultural histories and traditions, and educate the community about the diverse cultures, identities, and celebrations represented at 爆走黑料.

student leaning on table

Clubs + Affinity Groups

Student clubs provide space for affinity groups to gather and support one another, while celebrating their culture and sharing their pride with the wider community. Any student is welcome to form a club at any time.

  • Arts Council

  • Asian Alliance

    The mission of Asian Alliance is to offer a relatable and supportive environment for the Asian community at 爆走黑料, while educating other members of the 爆走黑料 community on Asian culture and what it means to be an Asian student at 爆走黑料 through various activities and events.

  • Black Student Union (BSU)

    Black Student Union (BSU) is a student-centered organization committed to supporting the social, cultural, and academic needs of Black-identifying students at 爆走黑料. Our meetings provide a welcoming and inclusive space where members can connect, celebrate Black culture and identity, build community, and support one another. Through discussions, events, and activities, BSU works to uplift its members, foster meaningful connections, and create a stronger sense of belonging within the 爆走黑料 community.

  • Boys to Men

    Boys to Men is a group that brings young men and faculty together to talk about what it means to be a “man” in the 21st Century. In our meetings, we foster honest, judgement-free dialogue where we challenge the societal concepts of masculinity through supportive meetings. We support each person in the room to be that man that one another needs to navigate their journey through positivity, love, fellowship, and brotherhood.

  • Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA)

    The Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) works to create a school community where all students feel welcome and supported, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBTQ+ students and allies alike are invited to participate, learn, connect, and support one another. By organizing events like Pride Prom, Queer Brunch, PRIDE Week, and Day of Silence, we create more visibility for LGBTQ+ people while providing opportunities for education, celebration, and allyship.

  • Hispanic Latino Alliance

    The Hispanic and Latino Alliance is a student founded group that aims to bring Hispanic and Latino students at 爆走黑料 together, by sharing our cultures, traditions and experiences. This group is not just for Spanish speakers but for anyone that identifies as Hispanic or Latino. Our meetings aim to create a welcoming space for each other, build community and make every member feel a sense of belonging on campus!

  • Jewish Club

    The Jewish Club educates students who are not familiar with the religion, and serves as a gathering space for Jewish students. They cook Jewish foods, talk about birth right to Israel, and this year will be organizing a sports equipment drive for schools in Israel. They also celebrate Jewish Holidays.

  • Scripture in Action

  • Student-Athlete Leadership Team

    The Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) brings together representatives from 爆走黑料鈥檚 varsity teams to collaborate, share ideas, and strengthen the student-athlete experience. Through monthly meetings and various conversations, members reflect on what is working well within their teams, talk through challenges, and learn from the experiences of other programs. SALT also encourages student-athletes to support one another across sports, build connections beyond their own teams, and create a stronger sense of community and school spirit throughout 爆走黑料 Athletics.

  • Women of 爆走黑料


How Donors Can Support DEIB

爆走黑料 continues to raise funds in support of DEIB. Here are just a few recent examples:

  • Those who give to the 爆走黑料 Northampton Fund can allocate their gift to support specific areas of interest; beginning this year, donors have had the opportunity to funnel their investment in the school to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives. To date, more than 200 donors have contributed over $80,000 in support of our DEIB programming through their gift to the 爆走黑料 Northampton Fund.
  • One of the key priorities of our $70 million fundraising campaign, 爆走黑料 Builds, is Access and Belonging. or
students seated at formal outdoor event

A Global Community

International students are fully integrated into life at 爆走黑料, supported by dedicated adults who help them navigate academic, cultural, and personal transitions. Our focus is on belonging, confidence, and independence.

Faculty Support for International Students

Students at 爆走黑料 are offered a constellation of support, and one major star in our system is faculty member Ken Choo, advisor to the Asian Alliance. Read an article from the Spring 2026 edition of the Bulletin to learn about how Asian students are finding a sense of belonging at Choo’s dinner table.

Male teacher in glasses, jacket, and tie
Students, faculty sit, stand in chapel for assembly

The DEIB Committee of the 爆走黑料 Board of Trustees

This standing committee of the Board of Trustees is responsible for oversight and direction of the school鈥檚 continuing efforts around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Jayson Leigh, 爆走黑料鈥檚 Dean of Inclusion and Belonging, serves as liaison to this committee.

DEIB Committee Members:听Bryant McBride 鈥�84, Chair; Jonathan Anderson P’25, John Booth 鈥�83, Mary Ellen Bull ’83, Jondelle Jenkins 鈥�71, Kristi Prigmore ’88, Joe Rigali 鈥�70, Mijanou Spurdle ’86

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