3 minute read
Commitment to Diversity
BY RYAN UPSHAW
Director of Diversity and Outreach
“IT’S BEEN QUITE A YEAR!” That has been my reaction to many who have asked what my first year at Jackson Prep has been like as I began a new role in the midst of a pandemic. As I look back on the 2020-21 academic year, I honestly had no idea what to expect as I transitioned from many years working in public higher education to a private 6-12 school. Nevertheless, I am confident that this strange year has given me the opportunity to make an impact that will begin to have a ripple effect in years to come.
One of the first goals that I had was to begin listening, learning and developing relationships across campus. Part of that process included working to become engaged in the life of the school. Over the course of this year, one could find me cheering on Prep at football games, singing along to the production of High School Musical (twice), accompanying our history and civil rights courses on visits to the Civil Rights Museum, supporting MAD projects, giving tours to potential families, and even teaching a public speaking class this past spring.
In addition to developing relationships, it was also my goal to begin having conversations. Discussions that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are not always easy. I believe that diversity is essential to achieving educational and academic excellence, and that students’ learning experiences and personal development are enriched by the diversity of the curriculum, student body, and adult community. I have been so appreciative of the students, faculty, administrators, parents, Board members, and alumni who either reached out to me or accepted my phone call or email request to have lunch, hop on Zoom, stop by my office, or just chat about how we can make Prep a more inclusive place for all students. Those conversations allowed me to shape thoughts and ideas on where to focus attention during my first year at Prep. They also gave me the chance to formulate more long-term plans and ideas. Over the past year, several goals have been accomplished in my world. A partnership with Tougaloo College, a historically black college in Jackson, was established to help us engage with their Division of Education and create a
HUBERT WORLEY
Prep leadership has partnered with Tougaloo College leadership in educational initiatives. From left: Dr. Daphne Chamberlain, Assistant Provost; Dr. Carmen Walters, President; Ryan Upshaw; Lawrence Coco; and Dr. Leon Wilson, Provost
pipeline of potential candidates for faculty positions at Prep. This will help us move the needle on diversifying our faculty. We have also developed a tuition remission program with Tougaloo that will provide reciprocal benefits for Prep students who may choose to enroll there and children of faculty/staff at Tougaloo who may choose to send their children to Prep. Conversations continue with other institutions about creating similar opportunities.
Another important partnership was established with the William Winter Institute that provided opportunities for training and community building among faculty and administration. In the fall, faculty participated in an initial Welcome Table experience during faculty development. During the spring, school leadership including administration and department chairs participated in an extended six-session Welcome Table experience that led to recommendations being given by program participants.
Department chair Steve Kincaid was a participant in the Welcome Table sessions and found the experience to be insightful. “I was delightfully surprised about how united we were in our desire to affect change for our teacher and student population in terms of diversity,” he said. Kincaid looks forward to seeing how the group’s recommendations are implemented across the school.
We recognize that diversity alone does not lead to inclusion, and we are taking active steps to create an environment in which the identities and cultural backgrounds of our families, students, and employees are valued and respected. I am very thankful for the support of Lawrence Coco and Crisler Boone as well as all of the faculty, administration, parents, students, Board members, and alumni who continue to champion the DEI work being done. If you are interested in supporting this work, please contact me at rupshaw@jacksonprep.net.
