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Equity

LCPS Commitment to Equity

Loudoun County Public Schools Commitment to Equity statement, developed with community involvement, collaboration with stakeholder groups and inputs from students and staff, was shared with the School Board and public on June 28, 2022. 

LCPS Commitment to Equity is our division-wide commitment to equity and opportunity, and aligns with preparing all students to pursue and achieve their full potential. In the newly adopted One LCPS: 2027 Strategic Plan for Excellence, equity and opportunity represent one of the six core values foundational to our strategic goals and actions.

LCPS Commitment to Equity

LCPS centers equity as one of its foundational core values. For our community, equity means being committed to providing a safe, supportive, inclusive, affirming, and respectful environment for each student and staff member that fosters success, growth, and academic rigor. The cultivation of this environment requires us to reject and condemn the use of hate speech, racial slurs, antisemitism, and any action or behavior that discriminates based on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, socio-economic status, religion, ability, or other cultural identities or expression. Such noninclusive speech, behavior, and actions do not reflect who we are as a learning community.

We embrace and value the unique identities, backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and needs of each student and employee. Celebrating our diversity is important and helps define us as a school division.  

Demonstrating the courage to address inequities and remove barriers represents an integral part of our collective effort towards excellence in education. Equity is the vehicle that leads to greater access, opportunity, and equality, so that each student is empowered to make meaningful contributions to the world.

Division-wide Equity Leaders

Our LCPS journey toward excellence in equity is one of shared accountability in the creation of strong equitable practices infused into the work of every department.  Please explore the links below to learn more about how we own the work of equity through various departments and programs.

Division of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

  • Contact: Dr. Latisha Ellis-Williams, Assistant Superintendent, DEIA

  • Contact: Helen Randolph, Executive Assistant, DEIA

  • Contact: Shahid Muhammad, Supervisor, DEIA

  • Contact: Cynthia Lewis, Supervisor, DEIA

  • Contact: Jessica Heitfield, Specialist, DEIA

  • Contact: Laura Freeman, Instructional Facilitator, DEIA 

  • Contact: Everette Callaway, Instructional Facilitator, DEIA 

  • Contact: Michelle Frosina, Instructional Facilitator, DEIA 

Student smiling at the camera

Assistant Superintendent, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

Dr. Latisha Ellis-Williams

Dr. Latisha Ellis-Williams

Dr. Latisha J. Ellis-Williams, a native of Bridgehampton, NY has a diverse background in education spanning 25+ years in several urban, suburban, and rural school systems around the country and international to include Southampton, NY, District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Beijing, China, Spain, Dominican Republic, and Morocco. The positions she has served in are Teacher, Content Leader, Coach, Dean of Culture and Instruction, Assistant Principal, Principal and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. 

  Dr. Ellis-Williams received her Ed.D in Educational Administration from Dowling College, Certificate of Advanced Studies, Professional Diploma in School District Administration from Long Island University, a Master of Science in Education from Long Island University, a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Teaching from State University of New York at Oswego, Tulane University Law School Title IX Certification program and University of South Florida Muma College of Business Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate. Her expertise has been in understanding student development; learning & implementing theory; teaching strategies for helping ALL students; designing culturally responsive professional development pedagogy and building programs focused on meeting diverse student needs.

  In her current role as Assistant Superintendent, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility for Loudoun County Public Schools. Dr. Ellis-Williams leads cross-departmental efforts to promote and sustain educational equity, inclusiveness along with collaborating with all stakeholders to facilitate the development, implementation, and refinement of a comprehensive educational equity strategy that aligns with LCPS strategic goals and objectives.

  Dr. Ellis-Williams is inspired by her own educational experiences as a student, educator, and leader. She will bring tremendous passion, knowledge, insight, and expertise to this role. She looks forward to collaborating with the Loudoun County School District school board, district administration, building administration, educators, and stakeholders as we plan, develop, execute, assess, and implement a more equitable school community.

Resources for LCPS Community

Equity Leads

The LCPS journey toward excellence in equity is one of shared accountability and collaboration in the creation of strong equitable practices infused into the work of every school. We aim to create and nurture a welcoming, inclusive, and affirming environment in every school and throughout our school system. Each school has an Equity Lead who works jointly with their Principal in viewing the work of the school through an equity lens to ensure a climate that is equitable for each student. The Principal and Equity Lead for each school is listed in the document linked below.

Equity Leads List-2023-2024