Dr. Melanie Arias, the new Director of Upper School for the upcoming 2024–2025 school year, says she is “thrilled” to make the transition from Windward School to the Westridge community. Westridge will be Dr. Arias’ first all-girls school. “I was very excited about the prospect of becoming a part of a girl school. In the last couple of years of my life, I’ve been spending time in an environment that’s really all about empowering and centering the excellence of women,” Dr. Arias said. 

She often spends her weekends attending the games of LA’s National Women’s Soccer League team, the Angel City Football Club. Of the experience, Dr. Arias said, “Everything from the team itself…to the leadership of their supporter groups is all women led. They represent to me just embracing your full self and being unafraid of the full limit of your own excellence.”  

Dr. Arias’ passion for girls’ education is evident in her advising of on-campus programs at Windward such as Girls Learn International and Girl Up!. Dr. Arias hopes that girls around the world can be unapologetic and unafraid to use their voices. She said, “I can remember times in my own high school experience where I was sort of asked to think about whether or not I was being too outspoken. It can still be challenging for girls in some environments to see themselves as certain kinds of learners that can be really drawn to certain subjects. I am excited about fostering an environment where [girls participating] can be totally normal.”

Beyond her passion for supporting girls’ education, Dr. Arias’ commitment to lifelong learning is evident in her own educational journey, both as a student and a teacher. Dr. Arias studied history, earning her bachelors from Carleton College and doctorate from UCLA, focusing on civil rights and housing policies. She said, “I always loved history, all the way from high school. I was really interested in the question of, how does change happen in the world? And how do people make the changes that we want to see happen in the world happen?” 

Later, in her experience working at Windward as the associate director of prep division, history teacher, director of global programs, and history department chair, Dr. Arias’ eagerness to learn helped guide the administrative aspects of her work. “I really like to learn about how we approach questions in education, and how we think about what the best practice is,” she said. “So, I went to a lot of conferences that were about teaching and learning and how the brain works.”

At Windward, she promoted diversity initiatives and implemented social-emotional programs aimed at improving student well-being in a rigorous academic setting. Dr. Arias believes that “the more diversity we have—whether that’s numerical representation of people, a diversity of ideas, or a diversity of pedagogical approaches—we’re deepening understanding.” 

Ms. Andrea Kassar, Westridge’s Head of School, remarked on Dr. Arias’ impressive application, saying, “I was just really impressed by the depth and breadth of [Dr. Arias’] experience in educational leadership as well as her own academic pursuits as a student. I also loved her cover letter, where she wrote in particular about her interest in working in girls’ education. That was a piece I found very compelling.” 

Upper School Science Teacher and 11th Grade Class Dean Laura Hatchman believes Dr. Arias will express a kind of approachable leadership to Westridge. “I found Dr. Arias really warm and accessible,” Ms. Hatchman said. “That was one of the first things that drew me to her, and I think students and faculty will be really comfortable going to her. She just has a good sense of humor and doesn’t take herself too seriously. You know, she’s able to laugh and just have fun.”

ASB President Ray Kong said, “I thought she was very respectful and cared a lot about students. Dr. Arias was a very honest person and you can see a lot of respect. I think the Westridge administration needs more people invested in honesty with students and dedication to respecting students.” 

When thinking about her goals in the upcoming years, Dr. Arias hopes she can “bring curiosity and listening” to Westridge through a human-centered administrative approach. She said, “I want to hear about all the different experiences that people are having that are going well for them and also areas where they hope to grow or evolve, and get a sense of all the many different ways that people engage and learn all the traditions and just soak it all in.”