New president named at St. Francis High School
On July 18, Ed Jensen, chair of the St. Francis High School board of directors, announced the appointment of Dr. Betsy Ackerson as the school's new president, effective July 23, 2018.
"Dr. Ackerson is perfectly suited to take St. Francis High School to its next level of excellence."
With more than 15 years of experience in education, Dr. Ackerson joins St. Francis High School from the University of Virginia, where she served as assistant vice provost and project manager for strategic planning. During her time at UVA, Dr. Ackerson spearheaded the development and implementation of a comprehensive, university-wide strategic plan that incorporated input from more than 10,000 stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, and others.
Considered the university's most successful strategic plan, it identified innovative opportunities in student learning, faculty development, and staff leadership. She also was involved in the creation of a new long-term financial plan for the university. Previously at UVA, Dr. Ackerson managed the university's accreditation and worked with faculty in the development of new academic programs.
Prior to joining the University of Virginia, Dr. Ackerson worked in Ireland as the co-principal of a venture to start a Catholic, liberal arts, higher education institution. She served in a variety of roles at the College of William and Mary and Sweet Briar College including fundraising for a $115 million capital campaign, communications and marketing, admissions, alumni relations, and external affairs. Dr. Ackerson began her career as a youth minister for a group of 500 high school students. She earned a bachelor's degree at Duke University, an MBA from the College of William and Mary Mason School of Business, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Virginia. Her dissertation was on Catholic culture and student spiritual development in Catholic higher education. Her academic publications and presentations focus on Catholic education, strategic planning, and academic leadership, and she currently serves on the board of directors of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars.
Mike Carbery, vice chair of the board of directors of St. Francis High School, notes "Dr. Ackerson's faith-based experiences reveal a rich background of service leadership and a reassuring understanding of Catholic identity and mission. We are confident that she will enlist our school community in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations in the spirit of St. Francis."
"I am honored to be entrusted as the next president of St. Francis High School," says Dr. Ackerson. "From the moment I first visited, I was struck by the commitment of the entire St. Francis High School community - faculty, staff, directors, parents, and alumni - to foster the pursuit of academic excellence in an environment characterized by true care and concern for all. As a firm advocate of the mission of Catholic education - developing the whole person in soul, mind, and body - I look forward to working with the entire St. Francis High School community to further strengthen its mission of providing a premier college-preparatory learning environment that promotes the spiritual, academic, physical, and social development of students in the daily presence of Jesus Christ."
This ideal appointment is the culmination of an intensive and inclusive national search process supported by Carney, Sandoe & Associates, which involved representation from the entire school community over the winter and spring. In multiple focus groups with parents, students, faculty, administration, alumni, and directors, and almost 300 responses to an Online Search Survey, the community expressed their hopes for the next president: someone who will be a powerfully visible presence in the community; a thoughtful and compassionate listener with a strong love of young people and the ability to steward and mentor outstanding faculty; an approachable leader with a passion for educational excellence; and a drive for continued excellence and innovation in everything we do.
"Our community, especially our faculty and staff, told us that St. Francis High School needs a leader who is poised to take our school to an exciting new level," explains Sue Harsa, a director who served on the President's Search Committee. "After speaking extensively with Betsy, it was clear that she garnered the confidence and respect of those with whom she met. According to many, she has the vision, charisma and ability to galvanize the St. Francis High School community."
Dr. Ackerson will assume leadership of St. Francis High School in its 62nd year. The school has recently completed major investments in academic and athletic facilities and in technology. Last year, St. Francis High School was named a Microsoft Showcase School for its innovative use of Surface Pros and other technology in the classroom. Students continue to win awards and scholarships for academic, athletic and community service as they live the school's mission.