Student Life: Traditionally Millbrook

Student Life:

Traditionally Millbrook

JJ Morrissey and Cora MacKenzie ’12 are two familiar faces in new roles this year. Both are serving in the Student Life Office—JJ as the dean of students and Cora as the assistant dean. As they plan and move forward in the new school year, re-embracing school traditions waylaid by COVID in 2020-2021, their focus is on meeting students’ needs and introducing many Millbrook rituals to both new and returning students.

After several years in the Athletic Department as Millbrook’s head athletic trainer and assistant athletic director, Cora is eager to interact with student life in a new capacity. Likewise, JJ is looking forward to seeing Millbrook traditions lived out in full as we get back to what makes Millbrook special. This includes resuming in-person assemblies and chapel talks, forums, formal dinners, and hangouts in the Barn—all gatherings that build community.

Both JJ and Cora embrace the idea of a triangle comprised of student, parent, and school. The triangle is strong because of the interdependent arrangement of its three sides. The Student Life Office seeks to maintain the health and integrity of these relationships, with student well-being and success at the apex. “Our goal is always to serve the students,” says JJ, “to give them a joyful community in which to learn and grow into their best selves. The entire child is the purview of student life.” Additionally, JJ and Cora see opportunity to support improvement in student interactions with adults and general conduct while broadly examining current school culture. “Strong school culture is a stabilizing factor, and when kids are heard and understood, they thrive,” says Cora.

“Our goal is always to serve the students, to give them a joyful community in which to learn and grow into their best selves.”