Woodlands Academy names new head of school for 2022-23
The Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to appoint Susan Tyree Dempf, Ph.D., the next head of school, effective July 1. Located in Lake Forest, Woodlands Academy is an all-girls, college-preparatory day-and-boarding high school.
"Dr. Dempf has demonstrated a passion for girls' education, a profound understanding of and appreciation for the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education, a dedication to intellectual pursuits, and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion," Board of Trustees Chair Lynda L. Mooney said. "She's also demonstrated strong business acumen regarding the operations of academic institutions and best practices in advancement and enrollment. Her experiences and attributes make Dr. Dempf well suited to enhance our strengths and guide the school through challenges as we continue to position Woodlands for the future."
Dempf currently serves as head of school at Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Charles, Missouri. Before that, she was director of the high school at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami, Florida. Dempf also worked for the Network of Sacred Heart Schools as national program director. Earlier in her career as a teacher/educator, Dempf held the rank of associate professor in the School of Education at both Sage Colleges and Canisius College. She also was an assistant professor at Wesley College, where she began her career.
Dempf earned a Ph.D. in teaching and curriculum from Syracuse University, an M.P.E. in administration from Springfield College, and a bachelor's degree in economics from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. In addition, she is a graduate of The Doane Stuart School, then a member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools.
"I am honored by this invitation to join and serve the Woodlands community," Dempf said. "Embracing a school that so clearly brings to life the timeless and timely values of Sacred Heart education, in a community that embraces young women as they grow in their sense of self while gaining confidence to take an active role in a global society, is an educator's dream. I look forward to engaging with students, faculty, administrators, parents, donors and alumnae as together we build on the proven tradition of excellence in all girls' education for which Woodlands is widely known."
Woodlands Academy conducted a nationwide head of school search in partnership
with Arlyce Seibert, an experienced consultant at Resource Group 175 and former
long-time head of school at the Cranbrook Schools in Michigan. The search was an
inclusive effort encompassing feedback from all Woodlands constituent groups.
"The board of trustees wishes to thank Dr. Dawn Nichols for her continued leadership of Woodlands during her one-year post for the 2021-22 school year and through the leadership transition," Mooney said. "With Dr. Dempf as Woodlands' new head of school, we look forward to beginning an exciting new chapter in Woodlands' history."
Woodlands Academy, an independent Catholic high school, is part of a worldwide network of schools that spans the United States. and 40 other countries. Honored as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2020 by the U.S. Department of Education, the latest Niche rankings again name Woodlands Academy the #1 Best All-girls High School and the #1 Best Catholic High School in Illinois.