Upper school dean Tamar Adegbile will not return to school next year, she announced Wednesday in an email to students and parents. Adegbile will become the Director of College Counseling at the Cate School near Santa Barbara.

She expressed appreciation for her 12 years at Harvard-Westlake to students during junior class meeting.

“Though I will be very sad to leave this community, I’m excited about what lies ahead — I believe this will be a wonderful opportunity for me and for my family,” Adegbile wrote in an email to parents.

Adegbile also served as Black Awareness and Culture club adviser, Film Festival judge, Prefect Council adviser and Honor Board member.

She emphasized that she will continue to work with her current juniors throughout the remainder of the school year.

“I moved 3,000 miles to come to Harvard-Westlake, and I can honestly say that I have never once regretted that decision,” Adegbile said. “This is indeed a very special place. I feel fortunate, blessed even, to have had the chance to work such incredible students like all of you.”