Meet the Team

Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Western Reserve Academy welcomed Dr. James Greenwood as Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at Western Reserve Academy in 2020. Dr. Greenwood brings a deep and rich history working in independent schools. Prior to coming to Reserve, he served as the Dean of Equity and Inclusion at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire. Born and raised in Cleveland, Dr. Greenwood graduated from Kenyon College with a BA in American Studies with a concentration in African and African American Studies. He holds a Master of Arts in teaching from Brown University, a Masters of Education from Columbia University, and a Doctorate in Education from Boston College.

Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Iiyannaa Graham-Siphanoum joined Western Reserve Academy as our first Frederick Douglass Fellow, and now serves as our Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging. Graham-Siphanoum graduated from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, receiving her degree in American Studies with a minor in Education and a concentration in race and ethnicity. A boarding school alum herself, Graham-Siphanoum graduated from Northfield Mount Hermon School. She has also worked as assistant program director for the SOAR program at NMH (a program for incoming students of color) and as an AmeriCorps Member for the NMH chapter of Upward Bound. Graham-Siphanoum works closely with Dr. Greenwood in supporting WRA's DEIB program and initiatives.

Insights from School Leadership

The DEIB Committee is dedicated to ensuring respect, appreciation and celebration of the composition of our community. Reserve's student population is incredibly diverse — not just in terms of race — and our DEIB Committee is committed to working with members of the WRA community to make sure we examine how all aspects of Reserve function through a DEIB lens, informing how we teach, how we resolve conflicts and more.

The Student DEIB Committee is an engaged and committed group of students who work to facilitate communication between students and school, as well as advise and offer personal perspective on DEIB decisions. As members of the Student DEIB Committee, they receive training in DEIB work so that they may act as a liaison between students and faculty to share questions, concerns and issues.

++ MEET WESTERN RESERVE ACADEMY'S AFFINITY GROUPS ++

Western Reserve Academy's student-led affinity groups, host events, spread awareness and create an inclusive and celebratory environment in support of diversity. Part of the Reserve experience is learning about new customs, traditions and various holidays, either from the efforts of our students groups or other community members. There is always opportunity for our students to broaden our offerings with new ideas, events and organizations. Please feel free contact the DEIB Committee at dei@wra.net if you have any new ideas, new events or new affinity groups you'd like to see on campus.

Asian American Club

Asian American Club is a club for anyone who is interested in learning about diverse Asian culture. This club works hard to inform the broader student body about past and current challenges facing the community and to shine a spotlight on the Asian American perspective and story. In doing so, we hope to uplift Asian American voices and share culture at Reserve.

Club Leaders: Andrea Belen '23 and Ela Mody '23

Club Advisor: Ms. Chen

Black Student Union

Black Student Union brings our Students of Color together, with special regard to our black students and students of African descent, for connection, discussion and celebration. Their events can include anything from visiting Head of School Suzanne Buck at Pierce House for a fireside chat, curating and leading the Morning Meeting program on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, hosting BSU mixers in the Green Key and more.

Club Leaders: Jordanne Nichols '23 and Ike Nabuife '23

Desi Club

Desi Club represents and celebrates people from across the South Asia diaspora—though all are welcome to join! Club members plan annual celebrations for festivals such as Diwali and Holi, and they are committed to spreading awareness of Indian traditions and cultures while providing an affinity group for Indian students at Reserve.

Club Leaders: Sumedha Mahesh '23, Sehar Mahesh '25 and Tanvi Shah '23

Club Advisors:  Ms. Maseelall and Mr. Mittal

Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA)

GSA stands for Gender and Sexuality Alliance, and this student-led organization provides a safe, supportive, welcoming and celebratory environment for LGBTQA+ students, as well as their cisgender, heterosexual allies. GSA hosts events like Cabaret and Broadway Backwards and has sponsored alumni speakers at special Safe Space events.

Club Leader:  Rachel Ott '23

Club Advisors: Dr. Robinson and Mr. Campbell

Jewish Student Union

Jewish Student Union: We celebrate Jewish holidays; bring in speakers; discuss current events; create a sense of community throughout the student body.

Club Leaders: Zia Zelman '23 and Sydney Grossman '23

Club Advisor: Mr. BB

Korean Club

Korean Club provides students with opportunities to share, explore and celebrate Korean culture! The Korean Club is open to the entire student body and aims to introduce Korean traditions, customs and everything from food, clothes, music and history.

Club Leaders: Christopher Pae '24 and Jiwon Lee '23

Club Advisor: Ms. Lopez

Latinos Unidos

Latinos Unidos is the WRA Latinx Affinity Club open to anyone and everyone! This affinity group aims to educate and involve the WRA community with the diverse and varied Latino culture and backgrounds though community service opportunities, Green Key Hispanic Heritage events, morning meeting announcements, social media content and more!

Club Leaders: Maya Baumann '23, Jarissa Molina '23 and Rebeca Rubiano '23

Club Advisor: Mrs. Boesch

Mandarin Club

Mandarin Club offers WRA students the opportunity to learn and celebrate Chinese culture, as well as actively participate in one of the biggest events of the school year— The Lunar New Year Concert! Any student can perform in honor of the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year in the traditional Chinese calendar.

Club Leaders: Elena Yang '23, Cynthia Li '23 and Alex Wu '23

Club Advisor: Ms. Judy Chen