My name is Ripley Stark and I’m thrilled to be joining Hampshire Country School as Director of Residential Life. I hold a PhD (ABD) in Educational Theatre/Game Design from NYU, an MA in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University, and a BA in Interdisciplinary Education from UC Santa Cruz.
Since 2003, I’ve worked with neurodivergent and gifted students in independent schools, summer intensives, and residential life programs across the U.S. and abroad—including six years in Japan developing whole-child care programs. These experiences shape my approach to community and accountability, grounded in emotional safety, structured support, and helping students feel at home in themselves and their environments. I believe that civilization needs divergence and nonconformity to function, and my goal is to help every student appreciate the validity and value of their own perspectives and perceptions.
Students call me Dr. Stark—a name with a nod to Iron Man that fits nicely with my twin grey cats, Jarvis and Friday, known on campus as “the bots.” I’m also a jazz and classical chorale vocalist, an amateur martial artist and archer, and a game designer who loves narrative puzzles and collaborative storytelling. I look forward to building a residential program grounded in warmth, consistency, meaningful connection, and much-needed hygiene. |
