About

Diversity and Inclusion

Gonzaga’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is articulated in the school's Diversity Statement below:
True to our mission to form men with and for others, we at Gonzaga College High School dedicate ourselves to building and continually nurturing a school culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
 
St. Ignatius’ urging to find God in all things compels us to recognize and celebrate the unique contributions that each student, family, faculty/staff member, and alumnus brings to the Gonzaga community. We are committed, therefore, to ensuring that Gonzaga reflects the diversity of our region, and is a school where all students can thrive. 
 
We are strengthened intellectually and morally by an environment where diversity is present and where individual perspectives are shared freely, received openly, and respected. Such an environment enables us to fulfill our mission to forge young men who are open to growth, intellectually competent, religious, loving, and committed to doing justice. 
 
When we diligently seek to find God in all people, all settings, and all things, we come to understand that our community’s diversity is a gift that serves an essential role in preparing our students to engage the pluralistic, global community in which we live.

To read this Diversity statement in Spanish, please click here. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

The Encounter Team

Aligning with Gonzaga’s mission and vision, The Encounter Team is a group of faculty and staff at Gonzaga who help nurture a Culture of Encounter within our school community. The team members are existing and emerging leaders who foster dialogue, mutual understanding, and the dignity of every person. The team serves as internal companions on the journey to help members of the Gonzaga family grow – within themselves, with one another and across the entire community. Each member, with the help of a dedicated subcommittee, will oversee a particular area within the school community to ensure that all aspects of this work are widely spread and integrated into our daily life. With this dedicated team, Gonzaga demonstrates a deep commitment to confronting division, fostering authentic relationships, and promoting a spirit of inclusion and belonging grounded in the Gospel.

As Pope Francis reminds us, “A culture of encounter means we, as a people, should be passionate about meeting others, seeking points of contact, building bridges, planning a project that includes everyone” (Fratelli Tutti, 216). Inspired by this vision, Gonzaga’s Encounter Team helps shape a community where every person is seen, heard, and valued.

  • Brendan Hartnett

    Brendan Hartnett is a Gonzaga alumnus from the Class of 1997 and has been blessed to serve the community for 24 years in a variety of roles, including Director of Campus Ministry, Chair of the Religion Department, and now as Director of Mission and Ignatian Identity. A graduate of The Catholic University of America’s School of Philosophy and the University of San Francisco’s Institute for Catholic Educational Leadership, Brendan is passionate about helping colleagues and students discover God’s presence in their daily lives. He especially values the opportunities for prayer, reflection, and accompaniment that the Encounter Team helps make possible.

  • Shannen Milletary

    Whether it’s providing readers advisory, creating a themed/cultural display or learning more about her own identity, Shannen Milletary aims to embody antiracist and inclusive practices in both professional and personal life. As the Director of Library Services, she strives to reflect cura personalis in every student and faculty interaction. 
    Shannen’s journey into this work first began in 2017 while studying to become a school media specialist at the University of South Florida. Her coursework and venture into librarianship gradually introduced important texts, such as Stamped from the Beginning by Ibrahim X Kendi, and educational events, such as The White Privilege Conference. 

    As of late, Shannen has completed graduate coursework at Louisiana State University pertaining to the repatriation, representation, and problematic history of acquiring and documenting cultural artifacts in institutional and museum archives. 

    Her current book of the month is The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjani Kamali.

  • Britney Pugh-Crooks

    Britney Pugh-Crooks joined Gonzaga in July 2021 as the Registrar and Executive Asst. for the Headmaster’s Office. Since her arrival, Britney has played a crucial role in enhancing organizational efficiency and strengthening the connection between the academic and business sides. Her unique role has allowed her to contribute meaningfully to the development and refinement of HR policies and functions, ensuring alignment with both operational needs and the community's values. With a Master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and SHRM certification, Britney possesses a deep understanding of workplace dynamics, human behavior, and systems thinking. She approaches each challenge with a commitment to service, continuous improvement, and an unwavering belief in the dignity and potential of every individual.

    As a member of the Encounter Team, Britney is dedicated to creating spaces where dialogue, understanding, and authentic connection can thrive. She believes in leading by example and strives to be a trusted, dependable presence, always working to strengthen relationships, build community, and support lasting, positive change.

    Britney resides in Maryland with her husband, Jeremy, and their three dogs: Theo, Nash, and Ace

  • Andrew Radford

    Drew Radford joined Gonzaga in 2021 as a chemistry and biology teacher. Before Gonzaga, he earned his Master’s in Education at UPenn while student teaching at Freire Public Charter School in Philadelphia, where he developed a passion for weaving meaningful dialogue and inclusion into everyday learning experiences. At Gonzaga, he is the moderator for the Gonzaga/Washington Jesuit Academy Science fair which has further enhanced the partnership between the two schools. This program provides students with opportunities to engage in joint academic exploration while building valuable mentoring relationships. Leveraging his expertise in curriculum development and collaborative teaching, Drew is passionate about advancing a culture of genuine respect, inclusivity, and mutual understanding within the Gonzaga community.

    He currently lives in Brentwood, MD with his partner, Alex and their dog Appa.

  • Lashieta Rogers

    Lashieta Rogers has worked at Gonzaga since May of 2016, first in the Alumni and Advancement Office and now as Revenue Streams Manager in the Business Office. A D.C. native, she has 20 years of experience working with and implementing nonprofit fundraising systems, processes, and procedures. Prior to joining Gonzaga, Mrs. Rogers worked in development at Special Olympics, Washington National Cathedral, and the Lab School of Washington. 
     
    As a member of Gonzaga's Encounter Team, Mrs. Rogers hopes to serve the Gonzaga community by aiding in the enhancement and development of our community partnerships. Deliberate and strategic partnership that support our efforts to ensure our campus is a place where all feel welcome.

  • Jonathan Ruano

    Jonathan Ruano joined Gonzaga’s Campus Ministry office in 2016. After four years of leading service immersions, retreats and other faith/leadership based opportunities he joined the Office of Student Services in 2020, where he now works as Associate Dean of Students.
     
    Mr. Ruano has co-moderated LASO (Latin American Student Organization) since 2016, helping the club grow in number and school involvement. He will continue this work as the Latino Student Success Coordinator, a position that will focus on serving Gonzaga’s growing Latin American community. Mr. Ruano holds a theology degree from John Carroll University and a Education Masters in Administration and Policy from Boston College.

  • Kara Schwabel

    Kara M. Schwabel, PhD joined Gonzaga as the Assistant Headmaster for Faculty and Staff Formation in July 2021.  Before coming to Gonzaga, she served as the Principal of Nardin Academy, an all girls Catholic school in Buffalo, New York, and prior to that was Director of the Differentiated Instruction graduate program at Canisius College. 
     
    Her passion for teaching, creativity, and leadership and affinity for Ignatian Education has informed her work in developing and supporting programming for faculty and staff that further promotes the Jesuit ideals of cura personalis, openness to growth and the pursuit of equity and social justice.  She currently resides in Chesapeake Beach, MD with her husband, AJ, daughter, Ella and four furry friends.

  • John Sullivan

    Entering his second year as Dean of Students at Gonzaga, John Sullivan brings 19 years of experience as a high school educator.  John began his education career teaching Social Studies and has since served as Director of Curriculum and Instruction and Principal.  In addition to leading the Office of Student Services, John is part of the Rugby coaching staff.  

    John takes pride in ensuring all voices are heard and valued. He is a strong believer in the power of open dialogue and has created and led professional development to raise cultural awareness and identity.  John’s thoughtful leadership and hands-on collaborative approach make him a key driver of our mission to build a more inclusive and welcoming organization. He believes that a truly diverse organization is one where every individual feels a sense of belonging and has the opportunity to thrive.

  • Marcus Taylor

    Marcus Taylor is a proud graduate of Gonzaga College High School (’97) and has served as the school’s Strength and Conditioning Coach for nearly eight years. He earned his B.S. in Marketing from Hampton University (’01) and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Sport and Performance Psychology from National University. 
     
    Marcus is passionate about helping young men grow—physically, mentally, and emotionally—and sees the weight room as a space where students build discipline, confidence, and brotherhood. With deep roots in the Gonzaga community, he’s committed to supporting its continued growth and helping create an environment where all students can thrive. Marcus is married to Shavonn and is the proud father of twin daughters, Ava and Zoë.
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Programs That Advance Diversity and Inclusion

  • Open to all students, a variety of extracurricular clubs celebrate our community's diversity and create spaces for shared conversation, fellowship, and initiatives. See a representative listing of our student clubs here.
  • Gonzaga’s Vinco Scholars Program is an endowed program that provides dozens of deserving young men a Gonzaga education. In addition to significant tuition assistance for students whose families would otherwise not be able to afford a Gonzaga education, Vinco Scholars receive tailored resources to help them succeed on Eye Street. Learn more. 
  • Gonzaga's Global Education program creates opportunities for students to better understand and appreciate the diversity that our world offers, in order to become better global citizens. Learn More. 
  • A wide array of service opportunities are available to all Gonzaga students, granting them the opportunity to understand the gifts and hardships of a variety of different communities. Read More.
  • Led by a group of student researchers and supported by administrators and faculty, Gonzaga has spent time exploring our institution's ties to slavery. To read more about this project, click here.  
  • Every year, Gonzaga hosts a variety of school-wide assemblies, special guest speakers, and programs that celebrate our diversity and expose students to new ideas and cultures. Examples include our annual International Food Fair, Black History Month Assembly, and bilingual all-school Mass as well as schoolwide days of service, art exhibits, and more.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Celebrating 200 Years of Jesuit Education in the Nation's Capital

Gonzaga College High School

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