Admissions through a DEI Lens
The Admission team has been busy this fall, and it has been wonderful being able to welcome prospective families to campus for tours and events after a year with no in-person visits. David Grant, director of student diversity recruitment and retention, is starting his second year as a member of the Admission team, having brought his decades of experience as a Potomac DEI practitioner to this new role. From first contact with students and families to graduates’ entrée into our alumni community, David brings an equity lens to the work of supporting students and their families and making the process as accessible as possible.
David says, “I enjoy getting to know students and parents/guardians during the admission process. I've had the privilege of meeting some extraordinary young people during interviews and hearing about the many interesting things they do, both inside and outside of the classroom. As I get to know them, I can often point them to helpful resources here at Potomac that can support their academic and personal success.” Families of current and prospective students should feel free to reach out to David for information and insights.
Potomac also has long-standing relationships with organizations that support students from underrepresented communities, such as The Black Student Fund, the Latino Student Fund, A Better Chance, and Jack and Jill. David explains, “These organizations provide advocacy and academic and retention support for underserved students to facilitate school access and success. We continue to strengthen our relationships with these organizations, to provide as smooth a transition to Potomac as possible. It’s just one of the many strategies we are using to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion at our school.”
Carson Roy, director of enrollment management and financial aid, says, “One valuable lesson that we learned during the pandemic was the importance of being able to meet with families and get to know them face-to-face. That individualized, personal touch goes a long way in helping families feel great about choosing Potomac.”
Carson adds, “We have learned that offering more targeted information sessions is a good idea. It gives families choice, letting them focus on things that they and their child are particularly interested in. So this fall, we are offering an array of virtual and in-person information sessions; some focus on the programs in our various academic divisions, while others focus on athletics, the arts, the natural beauty of Potomac’s 90-acre-campus, financial aid, and our efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. This more varied menu of options helps us meet families where they are, providing them with the kinds of information that they will find most helpful in their decision process.”
To see this fall’s information session offerings, visit our Admission Events page. Everyone in our community – parents, alumni, faculty and staff – can be great ambassadors for Potomac by sharing these events with anyone who may be interested in learning more about our school. Carson notes, “I know from experience that personal recommendations have the most impact, so don’t hesitate to spread the good news about Potomac!”