On Wednesday, Dr. Karen McNay officially began her tenure as President of Sacred Heart Schools, following the retirement of Dr. Cynthia R. Crabtree. Prior to being appointed as the SHS president, Dr. McNay led the Ursuline Academy of New Orleans, a member of the Ursuline Education Network. As a life-long learner, a teacher and a former principal of Christ the King Catholic School in Lexington, Kentucky, Dr. McNay brings more than two decades of education and leadership experience to Sacred Heart Schools.
“Dr. McNay’s strong Catholic faith, philosophy of educating the whole student, and strong leadership and communication skills all marked her as the inspiring leader to take SHS from strength to strength,” said Tim Rutledge, Chairman of the Sacred Heart Schools Board of Trustees. “We are very confident that Dr. McNay will be an outstanding president of SHS.”
Dr. McNay has expressed her first-year priorities for SHS which include the safe and healthy reopening and operation of all four schools, the creation of an intentional and accountable all-school five-year strategic plan, an enhanced and accountable campus culture of diversity and inclusion and the continued support and commitment to the Ursuline Sisters.
“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,” said Dr. McNay. “This is the heart of an Ursuline education, and I am humbled to continue their legacy.”