Idyllwild Arts Foundation President Pamela Jordan announced Monday that Craig Sellers has been appointed Idyllwild Arts Academy’s interim head of school for the 2022-23 school year, replacing Marianne Kent-Stoll who retires from the school June 30. A search is also underway for the permanent head of school, who will begin July 1, 2023.
Sellers has a long tenure leading independent schools. He served as head of school at Friends’ Central School in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania from 2012 to 2021, The Derryfield School in Manchester, New Hampshire from 2007 to 2012 and United Friends School in Quakertown, Pennsylvania from 2000 to 2007.
She said Sellers is known for his inclusive approach to community building, and is described as a good listener and creative problem solver. When visiting Idyllwild, he took the time to learn about the efforts of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) and Belonging Collaborative, the school’s focus on the citizen artist, signature programs such as Art In Society and Artists Enterprise Laboratory, and, most importantly, the people in the community.
Even though he had to meet several people over Zoom, afterward he spoke about being impressed with everyone’s passion for the school and the students.
For decades, Sellers has had a strong commitment in creating and supporting diverse, equitable and inclusive school communities, Jordan said. At United Friends School he increased diversity among the board, and the employee and student bodies, and at Friends Central, his efforts included strategic hiring and the school’s first independent, all-school DEI audit.
Sellers holds a bachelor’s degree from Franklin and Marshall College, a juris doctorate degree from New York Law School and a master’s degree from Teachers College, Columbia University. His hobbies include photography, genealogy and biking, “all of which I’m sure he will enjoy while in Idyllwild,” said Jordan.
Sellers and his wife, Cary, have two adult children, Bridgman and Clare. As empty nesters, they are looking forward to joining the community.
