Ray Cross is the Director of Community, Equity, and Belonging at St. Andrew’s School in Rhode Island. Prior to assuming this role full time in 2023, Ray served as a Director of Admission/Enrollment Management in independent schools for over a decade. In addition to his work at St. Andrew’s, Ray is a member of the Enrollment Management Association’s Enrollment Management Leadership Council where he serves as the chair of the culture and belonging working group. As chair he has most recently helped guide the incorporation of DEI specific content into EMA’s flagship institutes, Admission Training Institute and the Future Leaders Institute, in partnership with their respective faculty advisors.
Ray is passionate about ensuring a sense of belonging for all, creating space for self-exploration and affirmation, and aiming to both deepen and widen the perspectives of those with whom he interacts. His commitment to these practices is evidenced by his recent appointment as The Association of Independent Schools in New England’s Student Conference Coordinator where he oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of both the Middle School DEI Conference and the High School Students of Color Conference. Other involvement and contributions to the profession include service as a member of the Erdmann institute’s Erdmann Council, and a previous stint as a board member for the Small Boarding Schools Association. Family, integrity, empathy, and living up to his name by exuding a sunny disposition are all values that define Ray.