Community Engagement and WELLNESS
Creating an Inclusive and Equitable Community
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.
Openness, curiosity, and empathy
The Office of Community Engagment and Wellness
The Office of Community Engagement and Wellness is an expression of our Episcopal identity, grounded in the belief that each human being is made in the image of God and possesses immeasurable and irreplaceable worth. We seek to honor the God-given dignity of every person in our words, actions, thoughts, character, and habits, fostering a community where all are valued and empowered. Informed by current research and rooted in our Episcopal identity, we recognize that well-being, belonging, and service to others are inseparable elements of a thriving school community. Each element is vital to fulfilling Porter-Gaud’s mission to inspire lives of purpose, learning, and service through cultivating each student’s God-given potential.
Anchored in this commitment, the office works to create an inclusive and equitable school environment where individuals are empowered to contribute meaningfully to school life and develop a deep sense of belonging and purpose. Through intentional programming focused on service, intercultural engagement, and holistic wellness, the office nurtures the personal and collective well-being of all members of our community. In all we do, we strive to reflect God’s love by watching over those who are vulnerable, guiding those who are strong, guarding those in peril, and comforting those who are weary so that justice, compassion, and human dignity may flourish throughout our shared life together.
The office is led by Dr. Yerko Sepúlveda, Head of Community Engagement and Wellness, and its work spans three interconnected branches. The Service branch is led by Ms. Gretchen Tate, Dean of Community Service; the Community Engagement and Belonging branch is led by Mrs. Terra Burke, Dean of Community Engagement and Belonging; and the Wellness branch is led by Mrs. Liz Boeschen, Dean of Wellness. Together, this team advances the school’s mission by supporting the school community in becoming compassionate, reflective, and well-rounded individuals who flourish within and beyond Porter-Gaud.
Our Branches
| Service |
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Serving our Community As an Episcopal school, we believe in loving as we ourselves have been loved Acts of Service Joyfully Undertaken Some of the non-profit organizations we work with are:
…and so many more! Please follow the pgservice account on Instagram to see their work in the community. |
| Community Engagement and Belonging |
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Creating an Inclusive and Equitable Community Porter-Gaud is committed to creating an inclusive and equitable community where 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 and potential of every human being in our words, actions, thoughts, character, and habits. We actively work to gain a deeper understanding of differences through openness, curiosity, active listening, productive dialogue, and empathy. We embrace diverse cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives to enrich who we are as a community and to broaden the school’s intellectual, social, spiritual, and moral life. This branch of the Office of Community Engagement and Wellness is led by Mrs. Terra Burke, Dean of Community Engagement and Belonging. Academic Programming 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—feeling safe, appreciated, supported, and accepted as a beloved member of the community. To further this commitment, intercultural learning lessons are offered in the Lower School as part of our broader Community Engagement and Belonging programming. These academic experiences are guided by the Community Engagement and Belonging Competencies (see Resource Section), which help shape a developmentally appropriate progression of understanding, empathy, and action. Intercultural learning supports students in their growth as empathetic collaborators, effective communicators across differences, and globally oriented citizens. In first and second grade, the intercultural learning lessons focus on students’ ability to discuss themselves and their families, describe their similarities and differences to one another, and recognize and respond to fairness and unfairness in work and play. In third and fourth grade, the lessons focus on students’ ability to describe themselves and embrace their family traditions, investigate and value their similarities and differences to one another, learn about examples of justice and fairness in history, and value others beyond their shared attributes. Middle School 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—feeling safe, appreciated, supported, and accepted as a beloved member of the community. To further this commitment, programming related to Community Engagement and Belonging is integrated into the Middle School curriculum as a component of Life 101. This academic and character development programming is guided by the Community Engagement and Belonging Competencies (see Resource Section). The programming includes celebratory assemblies such as Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, and Women’s History Month, as well as workshops focused on intercultural competence. These workshops aim to develop students’ attitudes, skills, and knowledge to communicate effectively and appropriately with people of different backgrounds. Additionally, students participate in bystander intervention training designed to equip them with safe and effective strategies to intervene for themselves and others in situations involving harassment or bullying. Upper School 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—feeling safe, appreciated, supported, and accepted as a beloved member of the community. To further this commitment, the Upper School incorporates Community Engagement and Belonging programming into both the 9th-grade experience and the advisory program. This programming is guided by the Community Engagement and Belonging Competencies (see Resource Section), which support students in developing empathy, resilience, and a deep sense of responsibility to others. The 9th-grade experience includes lessons on honoring human dignity, building on strengths for resilience, perspective-taking, cultural awareness, and supporting others. The advisory program includes lessons on kindness, mental health, and celebratory heritage months such as Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, and Women’s History Month. Students also participate in bystander intervention training to equip them with strategies to safely and effectively intervene for themselves and others in situations involving harassment or bullying. |
| Student Organizations |
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Anchored by our Episcopal Identity, Porter-Gaud supports open, positive, and constructive spaces for students to explore who they are, affirm their irreplaceable worth as recipients of God’s unconditional love, and “create an equitable and inclusive community in which all individuals can contribute to school life and develop a sense of belonging.” Aligned with this commitment, students have the opportunity to propose and participate in school life outside of the classroom through student-led, faculty-advised groups. This programming is supported by the Community Engagement and Belonging branch in collaboration with the divisional leadership in the Middle and Upper School Special Interest Groups (SIGs) A Special Interest Group (SIG) brings together individuals who want to learn about, share, and engage in a specific interest or stand in solidarity with a cause. These interests may reflect a topic of passion, a community initiative, or an area of advocacy. Some of the Upper School SIGs include: Environmental Club, Gender-Sexuality Alliance, Kindness Counts, Mental Health Club, Moxie, Operation Smile, and Sports Marketing. Dialogue Groups (DGs) A Dialogue Group (DG) is designed to bring together individuals who can speak from the “I” perspective about a particular identity or lived experience, or who wish to explore different aspects of identity and belonging. Current Upper School Dialogue Groups include: Black Excellence Society (also in MS), Athletes Mental Health Awareness, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Support Circle |
| Alumni Engagement |
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Black Excellence Alumni Network The Black Excellence Alumni Network (BEAN) is dedicated to fostering a supportive community for Porter-Gaud School's Black alumni. We aim to connect alumni across generations, provide mentorship opportunities, and build upon the legacy of Black excellence at Porter-Gaud. All are welcome! Established in 2025, BEAN strengthens connections and builds community by:
For more information or to sign up to receive email updates, please contact Michael Abro, Director of Alumni Relations, at mabro@portergaud.edu. |
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Families for Cultural & Community Engagement |
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Families for Cultural & Community Engagement's mission is to help families grow in their understanding of diversity and cultural sensitivity, develop awareness and empathy, and recognize and appreciate the unique nature of our school community. This parent partnership supports our school’s mission and fosters a welcoming and inclusive community. Student Leadership Summit on Belonging On Saturday, March 7, 2026, the Office of Community Engagement and Wellness at Porter-Gaud School and the Office of Student Affairs at Ashley Hall will host the third annual Student Leadership Summit on Belonging in South Carolina. The Summit on Belonging is a gathering where a diverse group of 8th–12th grade students can come together to build community, acquire knowledge, and develop servant leadership skills to foster a sense of belonging at their schools. A sense of belonging is defined as “the feeling that we are part of a larger group that values, respects, and cares for us — and to which we feel we have something to contribute” (Cohen, 2022). Through a combination of keynote addresses, reflections, and workshops, participants will be empowered to design effective strategies that further foster a positive and inclusive culture at their schools. Registration information coming soon. |
| Wellness |
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The Wellness Approach At Porter-Gaud, wellness is understood as a holistic commitment to helping each student and adult flourish—emotionally, physically, spiritually, socially, environmentally, digitally, and intellectually. Rooted in our Episcopal identity and belief in the God-given dignity and worth of each person, the Wellness Branch works to build a school culture in which all members feel supported in becoming their best selves. The Wellness Branch of the Office of Community Engagement and Wellness, led by Dean of Wellness Mrs. Liz Boeschen, partners closely with the Counseling Department, Chaplains, Learning Services teams, faculty, divisional leadership, and PGPA to promote a proactive, whole-person approach to well-being across all divisions. Programming may include workshops on healthy relationships, stress management, healthy habits, digital wellness, drug use prevention, and cultivating joy and resilience. Whereas counseling focuses on individual or small-group support for specific challenges, the Wellness Branch supports school-wide education, preventative initiatives, and cultural climate-building through survey research and strategy implementation, ensuring that wellness becomes a shared responsibility woven into the daily rhythm of school life. Together, these efforts cultivate the habits, language, and values that allow students and adults to thrive. Counseling at Porter-Gaud The Counseling Department provides direct support to students and families as they navigate the developmental, social, and emotional challenges of childhood and adolescence. Working in collaboration with the Dean of Wellness, chaplains, learning specialists, faculty, and divisional leadership, counselors offer individual and small-group support, and provide targeted instruction on topics such as mental health, relationships, safety, and emotional regulation. In addition to responsive care, counselors contribute to divisional programming and faculty development, and serve as thought partners for families seeking tools to support their child’s well-being. Counseling Team:
Counseling Themes Lower School In the Lower School, counseling focuses on academic, personal, and social development within a supportive environment. The Virtues Project anchors our character development program, interwoven into lessons, assemblies, and schoolwide programming. Additional topics include digital citizenship, self-regulation, safety, and emotional intelligence to foster a positive school climate. Middle School In Middle School, counseling supports students as they begin navigating adolescence. Weekly workshops, mini-courses, classroom lessons, and assemblies address topics such as peer pressure, substance use, communication, media literacy, diversity, and relationships. Upper School Upper School counselors help students prepare for the transition to adulthood by guiding them in decision-making around topics like healthy relationships, substance use, and college readiness. Programming includes Advisory, the 9th Grade Experience, speakers, and seminars designed with student input. Counselors also provide individual support, crisis intervention, and referrals when needed. |
Identity-Based Incidents Policy and Protocol
True to its Episcopal identity, Porter-Gaud “seeks to be a community that celebrates and worships God as the center of life and loves our neighbors as ourselves, serving all persons, striving for justice and peace among all people, and respecting the dignity of every human being” (Board Approved Episcopal Identity). The Office of Community Engagement and Belonging, anchored by our Episcopal identity, seeks to “create an equitable and inclusive community in which all individuals can contribute to school life and develop a sense of belonging” (Board Approved Statement on DEI). Human dignity and a sense of belonging are affected when identity-based incidents take place. An identity-based incident (IBI) is an intentional or unintentional situation that negatively affects individuals or groups based on one or several identity markers. Therefore, Porter-Gaud has established the IBI Report Protocol (“Protocol”) to champion a culture of inclusion and equitable experiences in alignment with our school mission, vision, and values.
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