We had the opportunity to sit down with Meghan Doyle, who is in her first year as Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and Religion Department Chair at Notre Dame Prep. In the few short months she has been with us, she has enriched our community with her extensive background in theology, service, and social justice. We invite you to learn more about her passion for DEIB and the great work she is doing here at Notre Dame Prep.
- Can you tell us a bit about your background and what drew you to the field of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)?
I always knew I wanted to serve others in some capacity. My dad is a Catholic youth minister and my mom is a nurse, so serving others has always been a part of my life and my family. Growing up, I was involved in many different service projects, from volunteering at my church to international service immersion trips. Through these experiences, I learned the importance of stepping outside of my comfort zone and broadening my worldview. In addition, I realized that much of what I am blessed with is simply by virtue of where I was born, in the United States, and the family I was born into. I did nothing to earn the innate advantages I received.
As I grew and began thinking about what God could be calling me to, I developed my knowledge and passion for service and social justice. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Mount St. Mary’s University, where I dove into peace and justice studies. I went on to complete a post-graduate service program called PACT (Providence Alliance for Catholic Teachers), earning my master’s degree in education through Providence College. I taught for two years while living in community with other teachers.
In my 10 years of teaching theology, I continued to grow in my passion for Catholic Social Teaching and through it, DEI work. I am passionate about helping students to understand the world around them—the light and goodness, but also the very real suffering, injustice, and oppression that occurs, sometimes in our own backyards. As a member of a working committee, I was instrumental in bringing DEI initiatives into other school communities.
We are all called to this work as members of the one human family. Ultimately, my faith in God compels me to this work. If I am to love God, I am to radically love His creation, especially those who are forgotten, oppressed, marginalized, mistrusted, or judged in our society. I desire to help all people recognize that they matter. I hope to amplify voices that are often ignored. I hope to help all students feel seen and known.
- What inspired you to pursue the role of DEIB Director at Notre Dame Preparatory School?
One of my favorite scripture passages has always been from the prophet Micah: “He has shown you, oh mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? But to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
Ironically, that is one of NDP’s mottos—words that are painted on the walls, sung during our liturgies, and lived out through the school community. I remember seeing it on NDP’s website and reading through the mission and values of the SSNDs and thinking this could be the place for me. I had desired to continue in the DEIB field, and this opportunity allowed me to take my passion for social justice on a broader scale in helping to support the community and initiatives that already exist.
- What are some of your primary goals and objectives in your new role at NDP?
One of the most important aspects of this job, especially in working with adolescents, is relationship building. I hope to be a safe space for all—students, faculty, and staff—to share their stories, and challenges, and provide support in any way that I can. This work, especially, is heavily based on relationships and building trust. Therefore, much of my role this year relies on listening and learning. Through building relationships with students, faculty, staff, administrators, Board members, alumnae, and families, I am better able to support all members of the community in the DEIB realm.
Secondly, I hope to help strengthen the programs and initiatives that already exist at NDP. For example, there has been a focus on building cultural awareness that I want to expand upon. I have incorporated more cultural celebrations and heritage months with the support of the student Affinity Groups and the Language Department, I have recommended diverse books for our awesome library and helped organize the highly successful new event, “Tastes of the World” with the Diversity Council. Such richness and beauty exist within diversity and should be celebrated. In addition, NDP is working toward a greater understanding of neurodiversity, especially among our students. I have been working with our amazing Learning Resource Specialists and Counseling Department to support these students.
NDP’s new Strategic Plan will include and infuse DEIB into initiatives, and I will continue to work with various stakeholders and groups to ensure DEIB is recognized as the work of us all.
- Can you share any specific programming or initiatives you hope to implement down the line to promote DEIB at NDP?
My hope is to work with academic departments and have had many great conversations with teachers about diverse elements of their curriculum and lesson planning, practices they use to support all students, and pathways to create more inclusive classrooms.
Supporting all faculty and staff through professional development opportunities, whether at NDP or beyond, is essential. This year, five NDP faculty and staff members attended the People of Color Conference (PoCC) hosted by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), while many other faculty attended local Association of Independent Maryland & DC Schools (AIMS) conferences. In our own in-house professional development opportunities, I will meet people where they are and provide appropriate guidance and support, so it is not a “one and done” experience but something that is ongoing and the essence of who we are as a community. At a recent professional development day, faculty and staff were given a choice of workshops to attend based on their areas of need. I hope to continue in this model.
My desire to support the NDP community through education and awareness is important for alumnae and parents as well. Along with others, I hope to create effective community-building activities.
- What has been your favorite part about NDP so far? And what are you most looking forward to in the remainder of the school year?
The people! I have really enjoyed getting to know the students and the NDP community. I have fantastic colleagues who readily offer support or a good laugh. People constantly show up for each other at NDP and put their hearts and souls into serving the students.
I am looking forward to finishing my first year and seeing all the traditions, events, and the ebb and flow of a typical school year. There is so much going on here. I also teach seniors, and although I will be sad to see them go, I am excited to watch them graduate!
- Is there anything else you would like to share about your vision for DEIB at NDP?
As this is my first year at an SSND school, I recently attended the SSND New Employee Orientation and was inspired by the charism of the School Sisters, particularly being community builders and risk takers, having a world vision, and responding to the needs of the times. I believe all of these are pertinent to my role at Notre Dame Preparatory School as the Religion Department Chair and Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging, and what God is calling me to do. I hope to help others understand different perspectives, encourage dialog and understanding, and build bridges within our community.
But it is not just my role; it is not just the Diversity Council or the Affinity Groups or the teachers, counselors, and Administration. It takes all of us. All of us have a responsibility to DEIB work. We all desire to fit in, to belong. This is why it’s more than just Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion—it’s also about Belonging. We can do DEI work well, but if our students, families, faculty and staff, and alumnae don’t feel as if they belong in this community, have we really followed our mission? Our faith teaches us that all people have human dignity. How do we ensure that this is felt, modeled, and reflected in our hearts and minds?
