Andover's Phillips Academy Hires New Deputy Head Of School

ANDOVER, MA — Phillips Academy has announced that Merrilee Mardon has been named deputy head of school, a position she will begin this summer.

Mardon currently serves as associate head of school and dean of faculty at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

At Phillips Academy, Mardon will replace Raj Mundra, who holds the position on an interim basis and will be leaving Andover this summer to become the head of school at San Francisco's Lick-Wilmerding High School.

At Hotchkiss, Mardon oversees a team that includes campus life, athletics, and academic department heads, in addition to the school's human development program, mental health counseling, and health services.

Mardon's current responsibilities include evaluating faculty, providing professional support to faculty and overseeing faculty recruitment.

In addition to ensuring there is a diverse pool of candidates for faculty positions, Mardon also created the Walter Crain Fellowship, which promotes the development of underrepresented populations among independent school leadership.

A graduate of Smith College with a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Massachusetts, Mardon taught economics and gender and women's studies at Connecticut College before joining the Hotchkiss faculty in 2008.

"We are eager and excited to welcome Merrilee to our community. Her experience as an educator and administrator spans roles across academic and residential life," Phillips Academy Head of School Raynard Kington said. "She thoughtfully balances a student-centered perspective with the support and development of faculty and staff."

Jim Ventre, Phillips Academy's assistant head of school for admission and financial aid, chaired the search committee for the associate head of school position.