Former Dean of Students Alana Laury was named the new Interim Director of Equity during a board meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 23 after a resignation by the former Director of Equity, Corrie Wallace, at the end of the last school year.
The position of Director of Equity wasn’t fulfilled during the school year, so once the interim position was posted, Laury took it upon herself to keep Wallace’s work for the school alive.
“Wallace resigned at the beginning of the school year. The position wasn’t assigned during the summer, so there was an interim position posted,” Laury said. “Corrie is one of my mentors, she’s laid this awesome ground plan for the district. I took it personally that I couldn’t let all of her hard work dwindle away, so I was willing to step up for the position for this year.”
Due to Laury’s former position as a dean, another interim dean will be hired to fill her place for the following year.
Some students remember Wallace for the remarkable and engaging things that she did throughout her time working at the school.
“I think [Wallace] did a wonderful job, because she was definitely engaged with the community. I remember a specific field trip where students went to Northwestern to make connections with people out there. She was definitely making a difference,” senior and SOAR (Students Organized Against Racism) member Charlotte Namkula said.
Despite the excellent work Wallace has done for West in the past, there are high expectations for Laury and how she handles her new role.
“I think she’ll not only follow [in Wallace’s footsteps], but she’ll build on all the great things that have happened prior,” principal Dr. Jason Ness said. “ She’s got her own style and she’s got her own way of seeing things. I think the program will continually evolve and I think that she’ll step in and do a wonderful job; I have 100% faith in her and her capabilities.”
As Director of Equity, Laury will be working directly along with SOAR, SEED, and many other facilities at West. SEED, which stands for Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity, is an ongoing seminar for staff members who meet once a month and discuss how best to carry their conversations into the classroom or work spaces to uplift students.
Laury plans to give her best effort to the job and focus on improving school life, especially for the students.
““I plan on giving my 110% effort, of course. I really would like to center things around the purpose that essentially all of us are really here for, which is the students, the family,” she said.
Students don’t believe that the transition from Wallace to Laury will cause much change, due to Laury’s previous involvement.
“I don’t think [SOAR] will change all that much,” Namkula said. “She’s already been to the meetings, so we’ve seen her around; she’s already a part of the system.”
After the school year is over, Laury will have to apply for the full Director of Equity position along with other possible applicants.
