Ned Parsons Vision and Values

SO WROTE NED PARSONS , Rivers’s eighth head of school, in the fall 2014 issue of the Riparian. He was reflecting on his first 100 days in role. He continued, “I am honored by the opportunity to lead the Rivers community during this exciting time as we work together to build our collective future. That future will be informed, but not weighed down, by our past; rooted in our stories, while encouraging the next generation’s narratives; mindful of past success and eager to embrace the opportunities before us.”

Nine years later, as Parsons prepares to move on to his next chapter, that future has unfolded in ways both expected and unexpected. In his time here, Parsons oversaw the creation and execution of an ambitious strategic plan, made possible by FutureMakers, the school’s first comprehensive campaign. As a result, the physical campus has been almost completely transformed, bringing the school’s facilities in line with its programmatic and academic excellence. Applications are up 44 percent from where they were in 2014, and the school is increasingly able to attract the best and brightest students and faculty members. Rivers is thriving as never before.

There have been challenges during the Parsons era as well. A global pandemic placed unprecedented demands on our community—and, largely through his determination, we rose to the occasion, keeping the doors open and maintaining in-person instruction. A reckoning on race and racism roiled our nation and our campus with it, and Rivers responded with increased efforts in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion work.

Through the challenges and triumphs, the celebrations and commemorations, Parsons’s leadership stood out for its thoughtfulness, compassion, and vision. Members of the Rivers community are grateful to have had him as a leader and partner in the important work of the past nine years. On the next two pages, a range of community members share their thoughts about his tenure and impact at Rivers.