Raj Mundra Appointed Dean of CAMD

 April 20, 2006

ANDOVER, Mass.—Rajesh Mundra has been appointed as assistant dean of Community and Multicultural Development (CAMD), an office at the Academy charged with raising awareness of and encouraging sensitivity to differences of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, socioeconomic class, and sexual orientation. In addition to providing support to individual students, CAMD sponsors workshops, lectures, and educational programs for the entire Andover community.

Mundra, who first came to Andover in 1991 as a teaching fellow and then returned in 1996 as a biology instructor, has been serving CAMD as its interim associate dean and as its international student coordinator since last summer. In accepting this new position, Mundra will be relinquishing the latter role, which will be taken up by PA German instructor Susanne Torabi.

In addition to his past work with CAMD, Mundra has held numerous other roles at Andover, including faculty advisor to the IndoPak Club, faculty advisor to the International Club, and associate dean of the International Academic Partnership (IAP). In addition to serving as a biology instructor, Mundra is currently a member of a number of different PA committees, and also serves as a house counselor and football coach. Outside of PA, Mundra has had extensive international experience, having taught at schools in Switzerland, India, and Kenya.

Linda Griffith, who was recently appointed dean of CAMD after serving as interim dean since last summer, praised Mundra for his work as interim associate dean, saying, “In our first year of working together, I have appreciated Raj's ‘can-do’ attitude. He demonstrates relentless energy, diligence, and professionalism in all that he is passionate about. He brings a fresh perspective to the office and a collaborative spirit that is greatly appreciated.”

Chris Shaw, director of IAP, echoed that praise, saying, “During Raj's seven years with the IAP, he nurtured and developed the fledgling organization in some fundamental ways. Among the programs that Raj conceived and introduced,  patiently developing the requisite connections around the world, are the Swarthrahit student service program, now in its third year, and IAP Innovation Funds.  IAP Innovation Funds create a financial resource available to teachers across the IAP network to implement ideas for their classrooms that might not merit funding from traditional sources.”

John Rogers, newly appointed dean of studies, worked with Mundra as a colleague in the science division and in IAP program and described him as “collegial, thoughtful and open-minded,” qualities that he says will “allow him to serve us well in his  continuing work in the CAMD office.”

Mundra said he is excited by the appointment and is eager to help CAMD reach out and work more closely with other departments at Phillips Academy.

“Working in the field of diversity is complex. Since diversity impacts the culture of the school, every area within the school needs support to reach our institutional goals of social justice and educational equality,” says Mundra. “Understanding the differences among all of our students will enhance our current curriculum, pedagogy, and culture of our school.  I look forward to working with the CAMD staff and the PA community to engage in this work and support the goals of our Strategic Plan.”