Dorothy “Dot” López Appointed Director of Diversity and Inclusion

A message from Head of School Julia de la Torre:

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dorothy “Dot” López as Director of Diversity & Inclusion effective July 1. Dot replaces Karen Washington, and she is eager to transition from her responsibilities as a Middle and Upper School Math Teacher to take on this full-time administrative position. She will provide strategic leadership and programmatic vision around issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in our community. Working with the team of divisional diversity coordinators and with Chester Reagan Chair for Religious/Quaker Studies Melissa McCourt, Dot will ensure that all identities are respected and valued at MFS.

Dot has been actively involved in all matters related to diversity and inclusion since she was hired as a math teacher in 2008. She has led groups of students to attend diversity conferences and workshops and has participated in many professional development programs herself, including: The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) People of Color Conference, New Jersey Association of Independent Schools Institute for Teaching Diversity and Social Justice, NAIS Summer Diversity Institute, and more.

For the past three years, she has served as the Middle School Diversity Coordinator, meeting regularly with the Middle School Director, Director of Student Life, and Karen Washington. In this role she keeps Middle School faculty up to date on diversity/inclusion matters and facilitates training on pertinent topics. She supports all students and advises the Middle School Diversity Club, facilitating peer groups and serving as a sounding board for students and faculty.

In 2012, Dot was appointed Director of the Camden Scholars Program and for seven years she has advised and mentored the 18 students in this program. She works with the Admissions Office and Camden schools to recruit students for the program. Once students arrive at MFS, Dot is their primary contact to ensure that they have a successful transition to MFS. She maintains daily communication with students and families to ensure that they are having a positive experience. Dot looks forward to continuing her management of the Camden Scholars Program as she takes on her new administrative responsibilities.

Dot will hit the ground running in her new position as she shares a long-standing commitment to our Quaker mission and a passion for issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a Friends school, we are deeply invested in helping all students bring their full selves to their educational journeys. With this goal in mind, I look forward to working alongside Dot to chart our next phase of diversity work at Moorestown Friends School.

Please join me in congratulating Dot on this exciting new role.

Sincerely,

Julia de la Torre
Head of School