Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral and valued concerns throughout the Loomis community. Maintaining an environment that supports equity, inclusivity, and the pursuit of justice for all people, as expressed in our Diversity & Inclusion Mission Statement, is an on-going commitment. The Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion assists in maintaining the school's focus and continuous evaluation on that commitment.
Who We Are
Jaci Cardwell
Director of International Students
Sara Markman
Coordinator of Religious Programs
- Student Organizations
- Pelican Peer Support Network (PSN)
- Student Programs and Activities
- Faculty Programs and Associations
- Climate & Inclusion Committee
Student Organizations
People Rising in Support of Multiculturalism (PRISM)
A popular student organization, PRISM members seek to break down social boundaries by creating a familial environment for interaction with people of different cultures, in a comfortable space. Together, they explore social issues, investigate resources and opportunities, and discuss ways to better educate themselves and share their experiences.
SPECTRUM
Loomis Chaffee's Gender-Sexuality Alliance, SPECTRUM, is committed to making the Island a safer place for people of all genders and sexual and romantic orientations. SPECTRUM represents LGBTQ+ students and faculty of all backgrounds everywhere on campus. SPECTRUM focuses on supporting LGBTQ+ members of our community in addition to facilitating educational discussions and workshops to help allies and allies-to-be understand LGBTQ+ issues.
SPECTRUM works closely with faculty, student organizations, and other schools in the New England area, to create exciting celebrations throughout the school year (including dances, movie nights, and discussions).
Jewish Student Union (JSU)
The Jewish Student Union helps foster the Jewish community on the Island through social connection and the sharing of faith traditions in a welcoming environment. JSU helps educate the Loomis community on Jewish traditions, heritage, and culture.
LC Christian Fellowship
LC Christian Fellowship provides opportunities to openly discuss and explore one’s faith with Christians of all denominations in a welcoming environment.
International Student Ambassadors
The International Student Ambassador program provides avenues for student leadership on campus. International students provide support to others from similar backgrounds to help ease the transition to life at Loomis. They assist with orientation and play an integral role in international events on campus.
Pelican Peer Support Network (PSN)
The Pelican Peer Support Network (PSN) provides cultural, social, and academic support to students in their transition to high school and throughout their experience at Loomis. Students from similar backgrounds get together for academic study halls, roundtable lunches, alumni panels, and other academic and social activities with the goal of supporting peers and the enhancement of their experience at Loomis and beyond.
Primarily for students from underrepresented backgrounds on campus, the PSN may include, but is not limited to, students of color, students who are part of the first generation in their families to seek an advanced education, and students with limited financial means.
The PSN is a joint program run by the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, the College Office, the Dean of Students Office, and the Office of Admission.
Student Programs and Activities
CAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference
The Connecticut Association of Independent School’s Student Diversity Leadership Conference mission “is to bring students from grades 7-12 and adults from independent schools across the state together for a day of networking and dialog, facilitating cross-cultural understanding and a call to action to improve our school communities and our world.”
NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference
The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Student Diversity Leadership Conference “is an inclusive, multiracial, multicultural gathering of upper school student leaders (grades 9-12) from around the country. SDLC focuses on self-reflection, ally training, and community building. Led by a diverse team of trained adult and peer facilitators, participants will develop an appreciation of their own identities, build effective cross-cultural communication skills, better understand the nature and development of effective strategies for social justice, and practice expression through the arts, while networking with their peers.
Hot Topics Discussions
Student-led Hot Topic Discussions provide an opportunity for thoughtful reflection and communication regarding current issues of local, national, and worldwide concern. A respectful dialog is organized in a safe environment for students to share their opinions with a goal of inspiring positive change.
Cultural Outburst
Each spring, the Loomis community comes together in this fun and festive event celebrating and sharing our cultural diversity. Highlighting the numerous nationalities and ethnicities represented on campus, students, faculty, staff, and parents organize interactive exhibits that feature food, music, visual arts and other cultural activities for all to share and learn.
Faculty Programs and Associations
Seeking Educational Equity & Diversity (SEED)
The SEED program invites the engagement of head, heart, and soul. Seminar participants examine inner and outer ways in which systems bear on lives inside and outside of school. SEED work develops ways of understanding complex relations between self and system with regard to race, class, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability/disability, and cultural experience. Everyone becomes engaged in diversity work in both familiar and unfamiliar ways.
SPHERE
SPHERE is a consortium of independent schools from the greater Hartford area that came together in the early 70’s because of a common commitment to diversity. SPHERE’s mission is to help the member schools to collaborate in becoming and remaining culturally diverse, inclusive, and responsive environments for teaching and learning. www.sphereschools.org
CAIS Commission of Diversity in Independent Schools
The Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) Commission on Diversity in Independent Schools exists to inspire a wide spectrum of individuals in the effort to make our school communities rich in the experience of human differences. The Commission will provide an educators'' network focused on diversity, as well as training and resources for diversity advocates at CAIS member schools. It will also provide on-going support for trustees, administrators, teachers, staff, students, families and other CAIS commissions. www.caisct.org
NAIS People of Color Conference (POCC)
The National Association of Independent School (NAIS) People of Color Conference’s mission “is to provide a safe space for leadership and professional development and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools. PoCC equips educators at every level, from teachers to trustees, with knowledge, skills, and experiences to improve and enhance the interracial, interethnic, and intercultural climate in their schools, as well as the attending academic, social-emotional, and workplace performance outcomes for students and adults alike.” http://pocc.nais.org
Climate & Inclusion Committee
The Climate & Inclusion Committee supports the efforts of the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and serves to promote and carry out many suggested initiatives. The members of the committee represent many areas of school and are an important sounding board and support system for sustaining an inclusive environment at Loomis.
Campus Events Honor Hispanic Heritage & Culture
Loomis Chaffee celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15 with a series of events honoring the history and culture of Latinx and Hispanic Americans organized by the school’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Mission Statement
The Loomis Chaffee School is committed to sustaining an environment in which diversity is one of the cornerstones of our community.
Only when the community fully commits to the pursuit of justice, equity, and inclusivity is it then able to maximize the benefits of diversity. As an institution steeped in the liberal arts tradition, students and faculty regularly engage material that is enhanced by the multiplicity of voices within our school. We fundamentally believe that we become better people when we learn from and embrace others who have different experiences and perspectives from our own. Accordingly, the Loomis Chaffee School places great value on respect for the dignity and contribution of each and every one of its members.
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