A Message from the Head of School: Leadership Appointment
Dear Archer Community,
As I shared at last evening's Remote Parent Meeting, it is my great pleasure to announce the appointment of Samantha Hazell-O’Brien as Archer’s Dean of Student Life, Equity, and Inclusion beginning July 1, 2021. Samantha has taught English and worked in independent schools across the country for the past 11 years. Most recently, she has served as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Marymount School Los Angeles where she has also taught AP English for the past six years. Samantha hails from Virginia where she received her B.A. in English from William and Mary College. She also holds an M.S. from Pace University and is currently a doctoral degree candidate in educational leadership at UCLA.
Following a nationwide search led by Storbeck Search Associates, the committee was unanimous in our selection of Samantha for her eminently thoughtful, student-centered approach to student life, equity, and inclusion. Also evident was Samantha’s strong alignment with Archer’s mission and joyful, ambitious culture.
Upon accepting the position, Samantha noted, “I’m ecstatic to join the Archer family and support their mission in offering young women a place to explore, grow, and thrive. I look forward to listening and learning about ways to support all students in the Archer community. I’m passionate about equity, to make sure all students have what they need to be their full and authentic selves. I’m looking forward to joining the Archer family! Go Panthers!”
The Dean of Student Life, Equity, and Inclusion is a new, senior administrative position at Archer. The senior administrative team and I, and indeed the entire faculty and staff, are extremely excited to welcome and support Samantha. The addition of this position and our good fortune to have found Samantha are important steps toward fulfilling our strategic plan and mission to support girls to develop meaningful relationships in a diverse, inclusive community rooted in empathy, integrity, and responsibility.
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth English
Head of School
The Archer School for Girls admits students of any race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation or other legally protected status to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation or other legally protected status in its hiring or in the administration of its educational policies and programs, admissions policies, financial aid programs or other school-administered programs.
The Archer School for Girls’ mission is to educate students in an environment specifically designed for girls. As such, the school will consider any candidate for admission who identifies as a girl. Once admitted to Archer, all students in good academic standing who abide by Archer’s code of conduct and who meet requirements for graduation will be eligible to receive an Archer diploma, regardless of any change in sexual identity or other legally protected status.
