Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion, and Belonging
Meet the Team
What are diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging?
Diversity involves differences between social identity groups based on markers such as ability, race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, and so much more (Adams, et.al., 2013).
Equity means every member of the Williston community receives what he, she, or they need to thrive academically and socio-emotionally (Aguilar, 2020).
Inclusion is the deliberate act of bringing people into the Williston community, the community norms, and into the opportunities that will allow for meaningful pursuit of happiness (Winkle-Wagner & Locks, 2014).
Belonging refers to a human need to feel secure, supported, and accepted in the Williston community as his, her, or their authentic self (Baldoni, 2017).
Programs and Events
Why Not Speak Day Every year, our entire community sets aside a full day for discussions about identity and inclusion. WNS Day features a keynote speaker and dozens of workshops run by students, faculty, and visiting presenters on topics including race, gender, identity, and belonging.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Through workshops, guest speakers, performances, and cross-cultural sharing, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Hispanic Heritage Month The Williston community observes this month-long celebration through a community dinner, visiting performers, artwork and presentations by students, and more.
Lunar New Year/Spring Festival Celebration abounds during this meaningful time of year.
Stoling Ceremonies Williston students and faculty take part in this meaningful new addition to our end-of-year ceremonies.
History Months and Additional Celebrations Throughout the Year Our community recognizes and celebrates diverse cultures all year long.
DEIB Student Advisory Group
The DEIB Advisory Group is a selective leadership opportunity for juniors and seniors who apply and interview for membership. Working closely with the Dean of Inclusion and Belonging, these students help foster a community where everyone feels welcomed and valued. Members lead campus affinity groups, support DEIB events, speak at assemblies about their cultural histories and traditions, and educate the community about the diverse cultures, identities, and celebrations represented at Williston.
Clubs + Affinity Groups
Student clubs provide space for affinity groups to gather and support one another, while celebrating their culture and sharing their pride with the wider community. Any student is welcome to form a club at any time.
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Arts Council
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Asian Alliance
The mission of Asian Alliance is to offer a relatable and supportive environment for the Asian community at Williston, while educating other members of the Williston community on Asian culture and what it means to be an Asian student at Williston through various activities and events.
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Black Student Union (BSU)
Black Student Union (BSU) is a student-centered organization committed to the social, cultural, and academic needs of Black-identifying students attending Williston. The meetings are designed to celebrate and uplift its members.
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Boys to Men
Boys to Men is a group that brings young men and faculty together to talk about what it means to be a “man” in the 21st Century. In our meetings, we foster honest, judgement-free dialogue where we challenge the societal concepts of masculinity through supportive meetings. We support each person in the room to be that man that one another needs to navigate their journey through positivity, love, fellowship, and brotherhood.
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Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA)
The Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) works to create a school community where all students feel welcome and supported, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. By organizing events like Pride Prom, Queer Brunch, PRIDE Week, and Day of Silence, we create more visibility for LGBTQ+ people and provide opportunities for education and celebration.
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Hispanic Latino Alliance
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Jewish Club
The Jewish Club educates students who are not familiar with the religion, and serves as a gathering space for Jewish students. They cook Jewish foods, talk about birth right to Israel, and this year will be organizing a sports equipment drive for schools in Israel. They also celebrate Jewish Holidays.
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Scripture in Action
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Student-Athlete Leadership Team
The Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) brings together representatives from Williston’s varsity teams to collaborate, share ideas, and strengthen the student-athlete experience. Through monthly meetings and various conversations, members reflect on what is working well within their teams, talk through challenges, and learn from the experiences of other programs. SALT also encourages student-athletes to support one another across sports, build connections beyond their own teams, and create a stronger sense of community and school spirit throughout Williston Athletics.
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Women of Williston
How Donors Can Support DEIB
Williston continues to raise funds in support of DEIB. Here are just a few recent examples:
- Those who give to the Williston Northampton Fund can allocate their gift to support specific areas of interest; beginning this year, donors have had the opportunity to funnel their investment in the school to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives. To date, more than 200 donors have contributed over $80,000 in support of our DEIB programming through their gift to the Williston Northampton Fund.
- One of the key priorities of our $70 million fundraising campaign, Williston Builds, is Access and Belonging. Read more about our goals here or watch our Access and Belonging video.
A Global Community
International students are fully integrated into life at Williston, supported by dedicated adults who help them navigate academic, cultural, and personal transitions. Our focus is on belonging, confidence, and independence.
Faculty Support for International Students
Students at Williston are offered a constellation of support, and one major star in our system is faculty member Ken Choo, advisor to the Asian Alliance. Read an article from the Spring 2026 edition of the Bulletin to learn about how Asian students are finding a sense of belonging at Choo’s dinner table.
The DEIB Committee of the Williston Board of Trustees
This standing committee of the Board of Trustees is responsible for oversight and direction of the school’s continuing efforts around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Jayson Leigh, Williston’s Dean of Inclusion and Belonging, serves as liaison to this committee.
DEIB Committee Members: Bryant McBride ’84, Chair; Jonathan Anderson P’25, John Booth ’83, Mary Ellen Bull ’83, Jondelle Jenkins ’71, Kristi Prigmore ’88, Joe Rigali ’70, Mijanou Spurdle ’86
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