Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

WORCESTER, MA - Interim Head of School Tim Saburn announced today that Craig Jones has been appointed Bancroft School's inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging. He will begin his tenure on July 1, 2023. "After a thorough and comprehensive national search process that yielded a number of impressive and well-qualified candidates, I am thrilled that Craig will be joining this community. We feel confident Craig has the perfect skill set and proven leadership to help our school deliver on our commitment to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environment," said Saburn. 

Jones joins the PreK to Grade 12 independent day school after an 18-year run as the School Counselor at The Wellington School in Columbus, Ohio, where he worked directly with members of the board of trustees, faculty, staff, students, and with affinity groups on DEIB work. This included collaborating with all members of the school to carry out DEIB headline items based on the school's strategic plan and providing updates on school-wide faculty and staff DEIB initiatives. He also is an involved member of his school community having served as the Head Coach of the Boys' Varsity Baseball team at Wellington since 2006. In addition, Craig has been a regular attendant and participant in the annual National Association of Independent Schools People of Color Conference (PoCC) since 2014 and served as an Affinity Group Host and Convenor. He has also collaborated with independent school educators of color to present workshops at PoCC. Craig has over 25 years of experience working in both public and independent schools in Ohio and Maryland. 

Craig also has ties to Worcester. He graduated from The College of the Holy Cross with a B.A. in Political Science in 1990 and was a member of the baseball team. He later earned an M.Ed in Counselor Education from the University of Virginia. Early in his career, he served as an Assistant Director and Advisor for the Dynamy John Laws Institute (now Youth Academy), where he recruited and coordinated over 30 internship sites per semester between public and private sector Worcester organizations. He also consulted with parents, school counselors, teachers, staff, and community service agencies regarding students' academic and personal development. 

"I am excited to join the Bancroft School community," said Jones. "During my campus visit as a finalist, I was energized by the collaborative spirit fueling current DEIB efforts. I look forward to strengthening what has been established and working with others to accomplish the objectives set forth by Blueprint 125. I also look forward to reconnecting with family and friends throughout the city and state. Bulldog Nation, here I come!" Craig and his partner Dr. Koritha Mitchell, a professor of English at Ohio State University, will be moving to the Worcester area in the coming months. 

Bancroft School is a PreK to Grade 12 Independent Day School located at 110 Shore Drive, Worcester, Massachusetts.

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