St. John's News

“She is a monument of our time in Catholic education,” said Dr. Jerrold Ross, Dean of St. John’s University’s School of Education, referring to esteemed educator and friend Dr. Catherine Hickey at the Dean’s Convocation held at the school’s Queens Campus on April 24. Ms. Hickey, Secretary of Education of the Archdiocese of New York, was presented with a national award from the University Council on Educational Administration. The presentation was made by Dr. Gene Geisert, Chair of the Department of Administrative and Instructional Leadership.

Dr. Hickey has been instrumental in guiding the largest and most diverse Catholic school system in the nation to unprecedented success. The system engages 220 elementary schools, 55 high schools, 107,000 students and 3,000 teachers in a constellation of inner city, suburban and rural schools throughout the New York area.

“A continuing partnership between St. John’s University and the Archdiocesan schools in now underway and we’re proud to work closely with Dr. Hickey on this initiative” added Dean Ross. “This coincides with our mission as a Catholic, Vincentian and Metropolitan University to provide quality educational offerings and service to the community.”

A career spanning more than 20 years, Dr. Hickey has been a life-long Catholic educator who holds a doctrine in education from Fordham University. She has been awarded numerous honorary degrees of letters and law and is a member of the Governor’s Education and Social Services advisory councils.

Prior to her appointment as the only lay person appointed Secretary of Education for the Archdiocese, Dr. Hickey also became the only laywoman to be appointed Superintendent of Schools.

A champion of Catholic education for minority groups and an advocate for the rights of American parents to choose a Catholic education regardless of their economic positions, Dr. Hickey continues her devotion to the teaching ministry of the Church. That devotion has helped her to lead her teachers and administrators in fashioning safe, orderly, intelligent and faith-ready communities that serve as a model for Catholic education across the nation.

For more information contact Dominic Scianna, Assistant Vice President for Media Relations by calling (718) 990-6185 or e-mail inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu.

More information on St. John’s can be found by visiting the University web site at www.stjohns.edu/news.