Meet Our New Principal
Welcome Dr. Hilary Greiffendorf!
Hilary Greiffendorf, Ph.D., a native of southwest Michigan, is thrilled to begin service as principal of Bishop Baraga Catholic School this month.
She brings nearly 25 years of experience in Catholic education, teaching and administration. She has taught at the elementary, secondary, and college levels; served as principal in Catholic elementary schools in Cincinnati and Rhode Island; and supported teachers and parents through the development of formation programs and curricular resources during her years as a college president and as director of an institute at The Catholic University of America.
"Catholic education is a gift to our Church, our nation, our parish, and our local community," she shares. "Since my parents first enrolled me in kindergarten at St. Basil School in South Haven, Michigan, I have been blessed to have received my entire education within Catholic schools. This has shaped me intellectually, spiritually, and professionally. I consider it a great privilege to work alongside Fr. Duane, our faculty, the staff, and our cluster of parishes of the Cheboygan Catholic Community, so that we can together advance this 170+ year legacy of Catholic education at Bishop Baraga and pass on this same gift to our students."
Dr. Greiffendorf has been a professed member of a Dominican religious community for nearly three decades. With the full support and permission of her community, she is currently spending a temporary period living apart from the community for prayer, reflection, and discernment of God's call at this stage of her life. Throughout her years of ministry, she has been known publicly by her religious name, so an internet search will yield information under that name rather than her legal name.
"I am excited to be back in my home state of Michigan, and at a school under the patronage of Venerable Bishop Baraga, a courageous and self-sacrificing evangelizer of the Great Lakes region," she said.
She holds a B.A. in Teacher Education from Aquinas College in Nashville, an M.A. in Educational Administration from the University of Notre Dame, an M.A. in Religious Studies from Providence College, and a Ph.D. in Catholic Educational Leadership from The Catholic University of America. In her spare time she enjoys reading, hiking, baking, roasting coffee, visiting with family and friends, and spending time in nature.
She recently moved to Cheboygan and looks forward to meeting each one of you soon! Welcome, Dr. Hilary!