Lawrenceville Faculty Attend NAIS People of Color Conference

Last week, nearly 30 Lawrenceville faculty traveled to San Antonio, Texas for the 2022 National Association of Independent Schools People of Color Conference (PoCC). The event brings together more than 7,800 adults and students from independent schools across the country gathered to learn, collaborate, and support one another at the event.

"The conference provides a safe space for people of color to share their narratives in a professional and social context, participate in informative programs on racial equality and inclusion, and professional development that will help them better serve their communities," said Marquis Scott, assistant head of The Lawrenceville School. "Sending so faculty members to PoCC is a blessing and illustrates our shared commitment to developing a sense of community and belonging at Lawrenceville."

Scott joined colleagues from The Potomac School, Catlin Gabel School, and Middlesex School as panelists for the session, “So, You Want to Be an Assistant Head of School.” ?"

"I am forever grateful that several of our colleagues were present to hear my viewpoint on some of the excellent experiences I have had as an assistant head of school," he said.

Lawrenceville French teacher Sangeeta Dhawan said she enjoyed attending South Asian heritage affinity group meetings at the conference, and learned from a presentation by representatives from Wildwood School in California.

“They have put into place an entire curriculum for advisory that runs K-12. It detailed goals and objectives, offered activities, and all the materials necessary for getting started,” Dhawan said. “I was also thankful for the time I got to spend with Lawrenceville colleagues with whom I would normally not cross paths. Two thumbs up!”

An immediate connection arose when Lawrenceville’s Director of Admission Dana Brown bumped into Diku Rogers, Peddie School’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion en route to the conference.

Rogers recalls that the two first met in 2008 when Brown, then Peddie’s assistant director of admission, interviewed Rogers as a middle school applicant.

“Her warmth and genuine interest in me as a person had me ready to attend Peddie before I even knew I would be accepted,” Rogers says. “I went through my middle school experience not having any black woman teachers, and Dana's ability to make me feel seen during the interview process was a mirror I didn't know I needed at the time.”

Rogers describes Brown as a “curator of community, particularly for students of color who entered independent schools without an understanding of what boarding school would be like.”

“She consistently reminded us that we belonged, that we were powerful, and that we always had room to grow,” says Rogers. Rogers now occupies Brown’s former office space at Peddie, and says the mentorship Brown provided continues to inspire her work to this day.

“Seeing her at the NAIS People of Color Conference was a wonderful full circle moment for me, because I also connected with a former student who is now working in independent schools,” Rogers said. “To hear my former student share the impact I had on her experience just solidifies the ‘generational’ impact of Dana's presence.”

This type of connection is part of the mission of the PoCC conference, in addition to providing a safe space for leadership, professional development, and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools.

For additional information, contact Lisa M. Gillard H'17, director of public relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org.