Mercersburg Academy administrators are in the process of hiring an Assistant Head of Community and Culture, a role that is meant to "combine our efforts to build an equitable and inclusive culture with the critically important work already happening in the Office of Student Life" in the next evolution of student life, according to Head of School Quentin McDowell. The assistant head will report directly to McDowell, and Jennifer Craig, Associate Head of School, will report directly to McDowell. The new hire will take on a "blending of roles" between the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee and the former Assistant Head of School for Student Life and Culture, Chris Howes.
McDowell explained that this position is intended to provide strategic oversight of current student programming, ensuring that important initiatives do not get lost in the day-to-day operations. Rather than handling disciplinary matters or logistics on the ground level, the assistant head will take a broader view to guide student life from "fifteen thousand feet above."
The second administrative role that Mercersburg Academy will add is a Director of Civics. McDowell expressed his hope that this position will continue to build a deep sense of inclusion and belonging while also updating the humanities and history curriculum to reflect the evolving needs of the student body. This role is designed to integrate civics more seamlessly into all aspects of student life rather than limiting it simply to traditional classroom settings or school-wide programming. The Director of Civics will help facilitate "student conversations and conversations about students," ensuring that the school's approach to civics is both meaningful and relevant. Additionally, this addition aims to prepare students to engage critically with civic issues, both inside and outside the classroom.
Having a "good thought partner and strategic partner" within the institution is be crucial to advancing this work, McDowell added. He praised Allison Stephens, History Department Head, for her work in developing the framework for this endeavor and noted that she is stepping back from that role. He stressed the importance of having someone who can absorb both roles—the History Department Head and Director of Civics—to "carry that work forward." He emphasized the need for all students to have an "equally valued voice," tapping into the broader theme of "inclusion and belonging" that the school is striving to reinforce.
By creating these new positions, the school hopes to build a stronger sense of community in which students feel heard, supported, and engaged. When students "feel like a part of the community," McDowell believes, they will "be more deeply invested and learn and grow more." The new leadership roles mark a step toward refining Mercersburg Academy’s approach to student life to ensure that both programming and curriculum align with the school's mission to foster an inclusive and dynamic learning environment. While the hiring process is still active, the positions represent commitment to addressing both the academic and social needs of the student body in a more structured and forward-thinking way.