A Few Comings and Goings

May 29, 2026

As the year winds down and summer approaches, we want to share some updates about transitions in our community.

First, we want to share some warm send-offs. Spanish Instructor Andrew Glassco, who joined us this year during Oscar Urizar’s sabbatical, will be moving on, as will Vanessa Gonzalez, who served as a nursing administrator, and Lisa Rockel, an accounts receivable specialist.

We are also saying goodbye to Ben Swain ‘14, who is leaving after seven and a half years working at Cate. Ben was a faculty kid who grew up on the Mesa, and eventually wore many hats, teaching Spanish and Digital Arts before taking on the vital work of keeping our calendar and schedule running.

And although she’s not leaving our community, long–time faculty member Rebekah Barry will be joining Crane School next year as the Director of their new Social Entrepreneurship Lab. Rebekah has made countless contributions to our School as a teacher, leader, and outdoor enthusiast. We will miss her presence and feel fortunate she will continue living on the Mesa with her family.

We’d like to thank Gretchen Adams, who joined the counseling team this year as an intern while completing a master’s program. Like Rebekah, we’re lucky that Gretchen will continue to call Cate home, living in Long House with her family.

We also wish Dean of Student Support Jay Dorion and Senior Associate Director of College Counseling Margot Dorion a wonderful sabbatical year. They will be missed terribly and we look forward to their return to the Mesa with many stories.

On the arrivals side, we are delighted to welcome back Spanish Instructor Oscar Urizar-Tamayo and Craig Bouma, science instructor, from their sabbaticals.

We are also excited to introduce several new and transitioning members of our community. Carolyn Starks will step in as interim college counselor to cover for Margot Dorion during her sabbatical year. Céline Vendler is joining the English department, and Alessandro Easthope will be joining our Japanese program. Jason Brown is coming aboard as our new director of schedules and calendar, and Dr. Laura Moore is stepping into the role of interim history department chair.

Additionally, MC Post will be joining us full time as an English, history, and humanities instructor, and Dr. Oz Arconian as a full-time history instructor.

Wishing you all a wonderful summer!