Schools

McAuley Taps '03 Alumna To Serve as New Principal

Eileen Boyce is the first alumna to serve as principal of all-girls Catholic high school.

After an extensive nationwide search and interview process, Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School reached to its own ranks and appointed alumna Eileen Boyce ‘03, as the new principal.

Boyce is the first McAuley graduate to be named principal of the school. Her new role took effect July 1.

“McAuley is a special place, and I’m very pleased and honored to be chosen to lead our young women during this exciting time of change and exploration in their lives,” Boyce said in a written statement.  “My own time as a McAuley student grounded me and prepared me well academically and spiritually. I feel fortunate to be part of providing those same amazing opportunities to our young women and leaders of tomorrow.”

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Boyce joined Mother McAuley in 2012 as assistant principal.  Her achievements during her tenure include directing the AdvancED accreditation process, co-chairing the Academic Council, directing the implementation of the Strategic Academic Plan and creating and implementing the school’s iPad program.

“I’m thrilled that one of our own, raised and educated in the Mercy tradition, will assist in fulfilling the mission and vision for McAuley” says Mary Acker Klingenberger ‘75, president. “I’ve witnessed firsthand Eileen’s leadership style and initiative; she truly exemplifies how a McAuley education challenges and empowers young women to not only rise to the occasion, but to the top of their profession.”

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The principal serves as the chief operations officer of the school, focusing on faculty/staff and curriculum development, student life, technology and guidance and counseling. The principal reports to and is accountable to the president.

“The search committee interviewed many excellent applicants for the position and Eileen was the unanimous first choice of the committee,” Dr. Eileen Quinn Knight said, a member of the school’s board of trustees and search committee participant. “Her leadership skills, academic credentials and strong Catholic values are excellent to continue the legacy of Mother McAuley.”

A South Side native, Boyce attended Saint Catherine’s grade school in Oak Lawn.  She has one brother and is one of five sisters who attended Mother McAuley. Following her high school graduation she attended Saint Mary’s College of Notre Dame, where she received her bachelor of arts degree in elementary education. She then earned a masters degree in educational administration from Saint Xavier University. She began her career as a junior high teacher at Saint John Fisher grade school, located in the Beverly community.

“Eileen’s teaching career was the best preparation for her role as principal,” says Sister Jean McGrath CSJ, ‘63, principal of Saint John Fisher School.  “In many ways, her new role is an extension of her classroom experience, as she’ll continue to guide and prepare young women to pioneer new and exciting paths in their education and beyond.”

Boyce currently serves on the Saint Xavier University Education Department Advisory Council. She previously served as a committee member on the Saint Xavier University Consortium, and she has been a guest speaker to graduate classes in the educational administration program at the University. Boyce was the 2012 recipient of the Nicholas Iosue Outstanding Teaching Award and a nominee and attendee for the highly-coveted Archdiocesan Leadership Academy for 2011 and 2012.

Source: Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School



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