The Webb Schools
Diversity & Inclusion
The Webb Schools’ pledge to diversity and inclusion was crafted as a collaborative effort with students, members of our Board of Trustees, faculty and staff as a vital element of our collective Mission. Our pledge commits our community to developing meaningful relationships based on respect and consideration for one another. We consider how our words and actions may affect others as well as reflect on ourselves. As a diverse community, we aim to foster an environment that genuinely encourages expressions of differing ideas and values.
Our pledge: The Webb Schools are committed to fostering an inclusive school community characterized by openness, acceptance and empathy, where all members are valued, respected and supported. Our community is strengthened by the diverse views, beliefs, backgrounds and experiences of our students, faculty, staff and alumni. Embracing diversity in all its many forms is essential to our mission: in particular, our call to provide an exemplary learning community that nurtures future leaders who will act with honor and moral courage and serve with a generous spirit.
Affinity and DEIB work groups
Students sponsor a variety of clubs and affinity groups and participate in conferences to foster diversity and inclusion, including:
- NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference
- SoCal POCIS Students Stay Woke
- Asian Educators Alliance (AsEA) Conference
- Asian Affinity Group
- Black Affinity Group
- BIPOC Residential Affinity Group
- ESVI (Empowering Student Voices Initiative)
- FLIers (First Generation/Low Income Affinity Group)
- Hong Kong Affinity Group
- Latinos Unidos
- LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group
- Mixed Affinity Group
- QTSOCs (Queer, Trans Students of Color)
- Student JEDI Council
Global Community
Located in Claremont, California and on the front porch of Los Angeles in the Pacific Rim, Webb is a vibrant, global learning community with students from 10 states and 12 countries. We believe diversity and inclusion are important values that strengthen our school inside the classroom and out. The different countries and regions of our student body are proudly represented in our Price Dining Hall.
Community Events
Webb strives to make every member of the community feel welcomed, seen, and heard. As a result of this effort, there are several community events open to everyone interested in having meaningful conversations surrounding DEIB. Throughout the first semester of the year, the Equity office hosts monthly Community Read discussions surrounding a key novel or text. The office also hosts monthly Storytelling Sessions that welcome anyone in the community to tell their own story in their own words. Webb has now heard dozens of stories from faculty, staff, students, and local activists. Our cultural celebrations also include a yearly Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month celebration, Lunar New Year Community Dinner, and a Black Excellence Celebration.
Teaching and Learning
Faculty and Staff Professional Development
- People of Color Conference (POCC)
- Southern California People of Color in Independent School (SoCal POCIS) events
- California Teacher Development Collaborative (CATDC)
- Anti-Racist White Educator training
- Building LGBTQ+ Inclusive Schools training
- Glasglow Group training for administration, faculty, staff, and students
- Rosetta Lee’s How to Engage in Courageous Conversations
- Liza Talusan’s Train the Trainers Workshop
- Monique Vogelsang’s How Narrative and Storytelling Can Foster Belonging
- National Coalition of Girl’s School workshops
- Nemnet’s Implicate Bias training from
It is also the goal of the schools and its hiring managers to increase ethnic, racial, cultural and gender balance on campus. With this in mind, Webb has entered into a partnership with Nemnet to increase its capacity to attract, hire, develop and support faculty and staff from underrepresented groups. Webb is also a member of Southern California People of Color in Independent Schools, or SoCal POCIS.
Alumni Engagement
As a result of being a global learning community for nearly 100 years, Webb has a diverse alumni body of 4,600 in all 49 states and 46 countries around the world. There are also a variety of affinity groups sponsored by the Alumni Council, including the Women of Webb, Latinos of Webb and others. Visit the Alumni Page
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is committed to increasing all aspects of diversity and inclusion on campus. Under its leadership, gender equity in senior teaching and non-teaching roles on campus has dramatically increased over the last five years. Supporting the Head of Schools on the Senior Administrative Team are four women and four men. As part of this work, it is increasing the ethnic, racial and cultural membership of the board, while also increasing gender balance in all areas of governance. Learn About the Board of Trustees
The Affiliates
The Affiliates is the parent organization at Webb. The Affiliates has launched an affinity group for parents among other initiatives aimed at boosting diversity, equity and inclusion in the Webb community. The DEI Affiliate Liaisons work with the Director of Equity and the Director of Parent Relations to promote inclusivity, equity, and belongingness among the parent body in alignment with the DEI goals of the school. They work to diversify the volunteer base, facilitate or coordinate facilitation of affinity groups, communicate DEI-related events and updates to the Affiliates, and provide parent feedback about DEI work to the school. Learn more about the Affiliates.
Admission Office
Webb offers more than 30% of students over $5.5 million in need-based financial aid and our Admission Office partners with the following organizations to admit and enroll a diverse and inclusive student body:
- A Better Chance
- Independent School Alliance
- Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund
- SEEDS – Access Changes Everything
- Oliver Scholars
- Private School Axis and
- Young Eisner Scholars
Webb’s Office of Equity and Admission Team annually host Building Community: Centering Belonging, an in-person introduction to diversity, equity, and inclusion at Webb. While on campus prospective families have the chance to meet with the Director of Equity, Assistant Director of Equity, BIPOC Residential Advisors, Affinity Group Facilitators, and many amazing student leaders. This event showcases more about the ways in which we build intentional community at Webb, and how staff, faculty, and students all work together to create a sense of belonging on campus.
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
The Webb Schools are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities and do not discriminate based on actual or perceived race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, pregnancy, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, gender/identity/expression, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Learn About Employment
Southern California Diversity Recruitment Fair
Research shows that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environment is critical to student success and a marker of educational excellence. One crucial component in creating such an environment is having a diverse faculty and staff that reflect the beautiful mosaic of students we teach. As such, Webb plays a key role in organizing and supporting the Southern California Diversity Recruiting Fair, which draws more than 50 independent schools in Los Angeles.
The sixth annual Southern California Recruiting Fair will be held from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. March 16, 2024, at the Harvard-Westlake School’s Upper Campus, 3700 Coldwater Canyon, Studio City, CA.
Our DEIB Team
John joined Webb in 2018 as a member of the science faculty. He also dedicated himself to providing students with opportunities to engage with topics involving identity, equity and justice.
That commitment was recognized with his appointment in September 2020 to the role of coordinator of diversity, equity & inclusion and in spring 2021 to the post of director of equity.
John holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois and a Master of Science in Education from Northwestern University.
John is the parent of two Webb students.
Gretel Barsotti joined Webb in fall 2022 as Webb’s first assistant director of equity. Gretel has a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology with a minor in Latino Studies from Cornell University and is currently pursuing an MBA from Western Governor’s University. Gretel possesses experience in advancement and admission outreach and as well as experience in the classroom as a Latinx literature and culture instructor at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, where she was instrumental in the DEI programming. Gretel also serves as advisor to Latinos Unidos, Webb’s Latinx affinity group .
Dr. Ardina Greco holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in interdisciplinary art from the San Francisco Art Institute and an Ed.D. from Teachers College at Columbia University. She also has served as head of Jones Dormitory since 2015 and is currently co-head of Jones. Ardina also serves as Webb’s Mixed-Race Affinity Group advisor.
Malick Mbengue holds a Bachelor of Arts in modern languages from the University of Dakar in Senegal and a Master of Arts in French from the University of Louisville in Kentucky. He is active across campus, including his work as a soccer coach and support for the Empowering Student Voices Initiative and Black Student Union. Malick also serves as dorm head for Holt and Kirkhill dormitories.
Anthony Flucker holds a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism from Humboldt State University. He teaches Fundamentals of Composition in Webb’s Humanities Department and New Media & Communication in Webb’s Fine Arts Department. He also coaches football and track & field.
Dr. Nguyen holds a BS in mathematics from the University of Chicago, an MA in Learning Technologies from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in mathematics education from North Carolina State University. They firmly believe that a strong background in mathematics education and statistical literacy is a civil right and are passionate about helping all students succeed, especially those who have been traditionally marginalized in mathematics education. Dr. Nguyen has experience leading affinity groups and presenting at conferences and leading workshops on Asian identity, inclusive pedagogical practices, and democratization of mathematics education. Dr. Nguyen is currently serving as co-advisor of the Asian Affinity Group and the Queer Trans Students of Color (QTSOCs) affinity group.
Olivia Calvi joined the Webb community in 2021 as Assistant Director of Admission. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Classics from Colorado College. She also minored in Human Biology & Kinesiology, pursuing a passion for mental and physical healthcare. Olivia is currently working on her Master of Social Work through the University of Montana and interns in Webb’s Health Center as part of her program. As a queer individual, she is passionate about providing LGBTQ+ students with a space where they are free to express their whole selves. She loves working with high school students because she gets to help them grow into their own as leaders, learners, and activists.