Andover Admissions announced Merilee Mardon to be the new Deputy Head of School this past Wednesday through social media. Mardon will join the Andover community at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, succeeding Raj Mundra in his current role as Interim Deputy Head of School.
Mardon reflected upon her decision to join the Andover community. She expressed admiration for Dr. Kington and her excitement for her new position.
“I chose to join Andover because I love the Academy’s mission and the ideal of Non Sibi. Dr. Kington is an inspiring leader who I look forward to supporting and from whom I am excited to learn. I see in Andover a community that is doing a lot to live its mission and to ensure that it is a place where all feel welcome and a sense of belonging. The Academy’s commitment to need-blind admissions is impressive, as is the Academy’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Mardon.
Mardon currently holds the position of Associate Head of School and Dean of Faculty at Hotchkiss. Her responsibilities at Hotchkiss include leading the process of evaluating faculty work around academic, residential, and athletic priorities.
“I’ve loved my time at my current school and to be honest, I wasn’t necessarily looking for a new position. However, as soon as I began learning about the Deputy Head position, I became excited about the prospect of joining such a vibrant school. I love what I have learned about the Andover community and its commitment to supporting students, to public purpose, and to being a place where all community members can thrive,” said Mardon.
Jack McCarthy ’26, a student at Hotchkiss, noted Mardon’s connections with the faculty department. McCarthy expressed his appreciation for Mardon’s active communication with the student body.
“I actually remember my advisor saying something early in the year, about how Ms. Mardon was one of the people behind the scenes running Hotchkiss. I know she helps a lot of teachers as a support system and balancing work. Also, for the faculty, she was basically their first point of contact whenever they had an issue. She’s very communicative like that, even with students,” said McCarthy.
Mardon will continue to work closely with the student body and faculty at Andover. She envisions herself actively engaging with the Andover community as the Deputy Head of School.
“My primary goal in the coming school year is to learn about Andover and to find the ways I can best serve the school community. I am certain anything that I predict now will change once I am able to meet more members of the community. That said, engaging with the community is an important part of the Deputy Head role and so I’m already thinking about this aspect of my new position. My family and I plan on being at performances, presentations, and games, of course, and I’m looking forward to finding ways to connect with students, faculty, and staff beyond these typical avenues. I’d love to observe classes and host lunches, for example, or visit club meetings,” said Mardon.
Raj Mundra, current Interim Deputy Head of School, will be leaving Andover at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Mundra will assume the position of Head of School at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco, California starting in the fall of 2023.
