Community Engagement & Belonging
Porter-Gaud is committed to creating an inclusive and equitable community in which all individuals can contribute to school life and develop a sense of belonging. In accordance with our Episcopal identity, we seek to honor the God-given dignity of every human being in our words, actions, thoughts, character, and habits.
We actively work to gain a deeper understanding of difference through openness, curiosity, and empathy, and we embrace diverse cultures, backgrounds, and ideas to broaden and enrich who we are.
The Office of Community Engagement and Belonging
The diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are spearheaded by the newly created office of Community Engagement and Belonging (CEB). This office has as its primary focus the advancement of our school's mission and diversity statement through relationship building, learning for all stakeholders, and equity-focused work. The director of the CEB office is Dr. Yerko Sepúlveda, who moved to Charleston with his wife and two daughters.
Dr. Sepúlveda is an experienced teacher-trainer, consultant, administrator, K-12 teacher, and college instructor with a strong background in leadership, educational innovation, student-centered learning, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, & Belonging (DEIJB) initiatives and research. He is also a published author of several refereed articles and book chapters.
Dr. Sepúlveda holds a B.A. in English and Education, an M.A. in Applied Linguistics, an M.Ed. in Bilingual Education & Diversity Studies, and a Ph.D. in Spanish Linguistics with a focus on intercultural communication. He also serves as a national and international leader in the following programs:
- Mentor in the Aspiring Leaders of Color program offered by AIELOC (Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color).
- Instructional coach for Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he has facilitated learning for teachers in over 18 countries.
- Faculty member at SDLC (Student Diversity Leadership Conference) hosted by NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools).
Please click on the tabs below to learn more about our parent and student organizations, review programming, and access resources.
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HBCU Week Celebration
Led by the Office of Community Engagement and Belonging and the Office of College Counseling, Porter-Gaud hosted our inaugural National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week breakfast celebration on September 7. Porter-Gaud Middle School teacher, Leah Howard (Claflin University), alumni Collin Richardson (Hampton University) and Savannah Flagg (Howard University), and PG parent, Tyra Johnson (South Carolina State University), highlighted the history and role of HBCUs in the U.S. and spoke to current students about their individual HBCU experiences and the celebration of Black joy and excellence.
CONTACT
DR. YERKO SEPÚLVEDA
Director of Community Engagement and Belonging
843-402-4767
ysepulveda@portergaud.edu
JOHN PEARSON
Coordinator of Upper School Student Support
Upper School Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Liaison843.402.4703
jpearson@portergaud.edu
TERRA BURKE
Director of Intercultural Education
PG Fellows Program Coordinator
843.402.4675
tburke@portergaud.edu