With more than 20 years of experience in education, Dr. McNay joins Sacred Heart Schools from the Ursuline Academy of New Orleans, a member of the Ursuline Education Network. As such, she brings a wealth of affection and experience with the Ursuline charism. During her tenure as president of the Ursuline Academy of New Orleans, her leadership helped to shape and advance many areas of the school including doubling the endowment and guiding the school’s negotiations with FEMA post Hurricane Katrina.
Her appointment is the culmination of a national search led by Carney Sandoe & Associates. The process involved participation from campus stakeholders, including trustees, families, alumni, and faculty and staff.
“Dr. McNay distinguished herself among the applicants for the President position in a number of crucial ways. Her strong Catholic faith, philosophy of educating the whole student, and strong leadership and communication skills all marked her as the inspiring leader to take Sacred Heart Schools from strength to strength,” states Timothy Rutledge, Board Chair.
Dr. McNay’s passion for education began in the classroom as a teacher and then as principal of a pre-kindergarten through 8th grade Catholic school in Lexington, Ky. She earned a Master of Education from Xavier University and a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from the University of Kentucky. A mission-driven leader, Dr. McNay believes an education should support the whole person as a compassionate leader ready to make a difference in the world.
“I believe as students walk forth to serve as leaders in their careers, community and world, their educational experiences must impart upon them the responsibility of leadership: the compassion to walk in the shoes of another, the vision to see the value of each person, and the ability to respond to those with different needs,” said McNay. “Our students receiving a Catholic education should walk forth with compassion fueled by self-reflection, gratitude for their gifts, and a longing to serve others. This is the heart of an Ursuline education, and I am humbled to continue their legacy.”
Please join us in welcoming Dr. McNay to Sacred Heart Schools.