Integrity and Belonging at Salisbury School
Mission Of The Office Of Integrity And Belonging:
Guided by Esse Quam Videri, The Office of Integrity and Belonging works to empower every member of the community of all identities to live into their authentic selves and in so doing create a community where everyone experiences true belonging. Through this transformation, Salisbury graduates are equipped to foster integrity and belonging in the world they will enter and with the people they will encounter.
Vision
The work of this office promotes the development of integrity on an individual and collective level; of acting with integrity – honor, courage, and truth – and of moving towards integration – being whole, united, and one. It works to move us not just to feel included, but to know that you, and all people, belong.
This is no easy task. It requires a courageous exploration of the self and of others, of systems and circumstances, to understand what can get in the way of living with integrity and experiencing belonging as an individual, as a community, and as a society. It acknowledges that limits to integrity and belonging, whether intentional or not, result in fractures at each of those levels. To avoid or heal that division, this work is not about teaching what to think, but rather listening to understand.
As with all areas of life at Salisbury, the Office of Integrity and Belonging will first and foremost center the students: affirm and uplift who they are, honor the diversity of identity and of thought, and promote the Brotherhood. The work of this office also overlaps with the work of every other office and department at school so that no matter who you are or where you are, there is a commitment to building and practicing the skills and values that lead to the ideal of Esse Quam Videri.
Christon Gill
Co-Director of the Office of Integrity and Belonging, Learning Center Instructor
Kash Shabazz
Co-Director of the Office of Integrity and Belonging & Assistant Dean, Day Student Dean
OIB Initiatives
Novartis 25th Annual Multicultural Teen Corporate Mentoring Program: Salisbury students Finnegan Smith 26' and Jo Kaijima 27' took part in Novartis' 25th Multicultural Teen Mentorship program in East Hannover NJ. The boys learned about the field of medicine while putting together projects that addressed and provided solutions for real world healthcare issues.
The boys did an amazing job with Jo's team receiving 1st place honors for their presentation. Finn led his team well behind the scenes and on the stage while Mr. Shabazz also had the pleasure of serving on the alumni panel!
Novartis 25th Annual Multicultural Teen Corporate Mentoring Program: Salisbury students Finnegan Smith 26' and Jo Kaijima 27' took part in Novartis' 25th Multicultural Teen Mentorship program in East Hannover NJ. The boys learned about the field of medicine while putting together projects that addressed and provided solutions for real world healthcare issues.
The boys did an amazing job with Jo's team receiving 1st place honors for their presentation. Finn led his team well behind the scenes and on the stage while Mr. Shabazz also had the pleasure of serving on the alumni panel!
Latin Heritage Month Celebration: The World Languages department and the OIB collaborated to offer a celebration of music, food, and community bringing staff, faculty, and students together to celebrate Latin culture, practice Spanish, and acknowledge the contributions of our community members with Latinx backgrounds.
Latin Heritage Month Celebration: The World Languages department and the OIB collaborated to offer a celebration of music, food, and community bringing staff, faculty, and students together to celebrate Latin culture, practice Spanish, and acknowledge the contributions of our community members with Latinx backgrounds.
Dia De los Muertos Ofrenda: World Languages department and the OIB collaborated to create an “Ofrenda” to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, a traditional Mexican holiday honoring lost loved ones. The Salisbury community was encouraged to place photos and offerings to lost loved ones as a sign of respect love and homage.
Prospective Students Day: The OIB and Salisbury Athletics partnered to bring 30+ students from various local and diverse communities to campus for a full-day tour of academics, athletics, and living facilities capped off with food provided by the Dining Center and a football game.
Lunar New Year celebrations with many traditional culinary offerings for all students, faculty and families of the Salisbury community.
Lunar New Year celebrations with many traditional culinary offerings for all students, faculty and families of the Salisbury community.
Lunar New Year celebrations with many traditional culinary offerings for all students, faculty and families of the Salisbury community.
“Empowering Voices” Speaker: The OIB hosted 1st District Rhode Island Representative Gabe Amo as part of an ongoing initiative to bring unique voices to campus. During his visit, the Congressman shared his wisdom and offered advice on the importance of being a lifelong learner, the power of communication, and storytelling through narrative. The boys, faculty, and senior leaders in the community enjoyed the opportunity to learn from this experience.
The OIB hosted their second “Empowering Voices” speaker Reginald Alston Jr. the boys and Mr Alston engaged in a valuable discussion around family values, entrepreneurship, fraternities, HBCUs and self-investment.
Student Diversity Leadership Conference: Six students and two faculty members attended NAIS’s Student Diversity Leadership Conference and the concurrent People of Color Conference in Denver, CO. Students, and faculty engaged in learning centered around identity work and were tasked with bringing valuable initiatives and programming back to the Salisbury community.
Student Diversity Leadership Conference: Six students and two faculty members attended NAIS’s Student Diversity Leadership Conference and the concurrent People of Color Conference in Denver, CO. Students, and faculty engaged in learning centered around identity work and were tasked with bringing valuable initiatives and programming back to the Salisbury community.
Student Diversity Leadership Conference: Six students and two faculty members attended NAIS’s Student Diversity Leadership Conference and the concurrent People of Color Conference in Denver, CO. Students, and faculty engaged in learning centered around identity work and were tasked with bringing valuable initiatives and programming back to the Salisbury community.
Student Diversity Leadership Conference: Six students and two faculty members attended NAIS’s Student Diversity Leadership Conference and the concurrent People of Color Conference in Denver, CO. Students, and faculty engaged in learning centered around identity work and were tasked with bringing valuable initiatives and programming back to the Salisbury community.
Student Diversity Leadership Conference: Six students and two faculty members attended NAIS’s Student Diversity Leadership Conference and the concurrent People of Color Conference in Denver, CO. Students, and faculty engaged in learning centered around identity work and were tasked with bringing valuable initiatives and programming back to the Salisbury community.
Empowering Voices: The OIB hosted its third installment of our Empowering Voices series, where we highlight transformative stories, fresh perspectives, and voices that challenge, inspire, and uplift. This session featured former Federal and State Judge Gerald Bruce Lee, who is not only a member of the National Board Association but also featured in the Association's Hall of Fame. Judge Lee shared with the community his path to becoming a Judge, the struggles, successes, and lessons he encountered along his journey. We spent time learning what it really means to persevere and to keep one's values central in pursuit of success and we can't wait until we can chat with Judge Lee again!
MLK Day 2025: Sunday, January 19, and Monday, January 20, were days of community and reflection as the Hilltop honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On the evening of the 19th, Salisbury welcomed At the Table with Dr. King, a multifaceted live performance that taught our community about the American Civil Rights Movement and valuable lessons of equality and respect. Through music, poetry, historical video footage, and Dr. King’s own words, At the Table also challenged students and faculty to engage in creative acts of service and leadership in their communities.
For Monday's continued celebration of Dr. King's work, the community started the day by gathering in the Daniel M. Cain Chapel. While in Chapel, students and faculty had the opportunity to reflect on the question: "What does Dr. King's legacy mean to you?" Readings and hymns were curated to honor Dr. King's legacy as well.
After Chapel, students met in their advisory groups and watched The March on Washington: Keepers of the Dream. The National Geographic film connects anti-Black violence to activism, from the 1963 March on Washington to the summer of 2020. Upon completing the film, advisories discussed the various topics covered and the impact Dr. King made.
It was a meaningful two days of reflection and conversation within the Salisbury community.
MLK Day 2025: Sunday, January 19, and Monday, January 20, were days of community and reflection as the Hilltop honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On the evening of the 19th, Salisbury welcomed At the Table with Dr. King, a multifaceted live performance that taught our community about the American Civil Rights Movement and valuable lessons of equality and respect. Through music, poetry, historical video footage, and Dr. King’s own words, At the Table also challenged students and faculty to engage in creative acts of service and leadership in their communities.
For Monday's continued celebration of Dr. King's work, the community started the day by gathering in the Daniel M. Cain Chapel. While in Chapel, students and faculty had the opportunity to reflect on the question: "What does Dr. King's legacy mean to you?" Readings and hymns were curated to honor Dr. King's legacy as well.
After Chapel, students met in their advisory groups and watched The March on Washington: Keepers of the Dream. The National Geographic film connects anti-Black violence to activism, from the 1963 March on Washington to the summer of 2020. Upon completing the film, advisories discussed the various topics covered and the impact Dr. King made.
It was a meaningful two days of reflection and conversation within the Salisbury community
MLK Day 2025: Sunday, January 19, and Monday, January 20, were days of community and reflection as the Hilltop honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On the evening of the 19th, Salisbury welcomed At the Table with Dr. King, a multifaceted live performance that taught our community about the American Civil Rights Movement and valuable lessons of equality and respect. Through music, poetry, historical video footage, and Dr. King’s own words, At the Table also challenged students and faculty to engage in creative acts of service and leadership in their communities.
For Monday's continued celebration of Dr. King's work, the community started the day by gathering in the Daniel M. Cain Chapel. While in Chapel, students and faculty had the opportunity to reflect on the question: "What does Dr. King's legacy mean to you?" Readings and hymns were curated to honor Dr. King's legacy as well.
After Chapel, students met in their advisory groups and watched The March on Washington: Keepers of the Dream. The National Geographic film connects anti-Black violence to activism, from the 1963 March on Washington to the summer of 2020. Upon completing the film, advisories discussed the various topics covered and the impact Dr. King made.
It was a meaningful two days of reflection and conversation within the Salisbury community
MLK Day 2025: Sunday, January 19, and Monday, January 20, were days of community and reflection as the Hilltop honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On the evening of the 19th, Salisbury welcomed At the Table with Dr. King, a multifaceted live performance that taught our community about the American Civil Rights Movement and valuable lessons of equality and respect. Through music, poetry, historical video footage, and Dr. King’s own words, At the Table also challenged students and faculty to engage in creative acts of service and leadership in their communities.
For Monday's continued celebration of Dr. King's work, the community started the day by gathering in the Daniel M. Cain Chapel. While in Chapel, students and faculty had the opportunity to reflect on the question: "What does Dr. King's legacy mean to you?" Readings and hymns were curated to honor Dr. King's legacy as well.
After Chapel, students met in their advisory groups and watched The March on Washington: Keepers of the Dream. The National Geographic film connects anti-Black violence to activism, from the 1963 March on Washington to the summer of 2020. Upon completing the film, advisories discussed the various topics covered and the impact Dr. King made.
It was a meaningful two days of reflection and conversation within the Salisbury community
Brotherhood
Brotherhood is at the core of our community and is what bonds us together. While the “brotherhood” refers to those who share the Salisbury experience, by explicitly and implicitly teaching our core values of empathy, humility and respect, Salisbury students come to learn that, in fact, everyone is their brother. Once we understand this vital reality, we are driven to make a positive impact on the communities in which we live – both on the Hilltop and beyond.