UPDATED: SPRING 2024
We are delighted to introduce and welcome the newest hires for the Xavier Catholic Schools family. Each of these individuals brings unique talents, experiences, and a passion for education that will undoubtedly enrich the Xavier Catholic Schools community.

We are thrilled to have them join our team and look forward to the contributions they will make; together we will embark upon this journey and continue to provide excellence in education for our students and families. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to the following individuals:

Director of Catholicity: Phil Drey

It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Phil Drey as the new Catholicity Director. Phil brings a wealth of experience, passion for Catholic education, and a deep commitment to nurturing the spiritual development of students.

Phil comes to us with strong theology experience from Mt. Mercy University and Xavier High School. He has demonstrated a strong dedication to fostering a vibrant Catholic identity within educational settings and we are confident that he will continue to uphold and strengthen the Xavier Catholic School’s mission and values.

As the Catholicity Director, Phil will play a pivotal role in guiding Xavier Catholic Schools in matters of faith formation, collaboration with parishes for sacramental preparation, and integrating Catholic teachings into all aspects of school life. He will work collaboratively with the XCS faculty, staff, students, and families to deepen the understanding and appreciation of the Catholic faith.

His leadership and commitment to our Catholic identity will undoubtedly inspire and enrich the spiritual journey of Xavier Catholic Schools, both now and in the future.

Director of Curriculum and Instruction: Jamie Larson

We are excited to introduce Jamie Larson as our new Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Jamie brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and a deep passion for educational excellence that will undoubtedly elevate the academic experience for our students.

Jamie joins us from her most recent role at GrantWood AEA as a School Improvement Consultant, in addition to Jamie’s roles as the Principal of LaSalle Catholic Elementary (formerly St. Jude’s), roles as a literacy consultant and classroom teacher. She has a proven track record of leadership in curriculum development, instructional innovation, and fostering student-centered learning environments.

As the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Jamie will lead efforts to enhance our curriculum, ensure alignment with academic standards, support our dedicated faculty in delivering high-quality instruction, and serve as the liaison for administrators. She will work collaboratively with teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders to promote best practices that meet the diverse needs of our students.

Her vision, dedication, and expertise will play a vital role in advancing our mission of academic excellence and student success.

We are delighted about the positive impact Jamie will have on Xavier Catholic Schools and we look forward to working together to inspire a lifelong love of learning in our students.

Director of Early Childhood: Connie Schulte

Connie Schulte will be joining Xavier Catholic Schools as the new Director of Early Childhood, effective July 1, 2024. Connie brings a wealth of experience and a passion for early childhood. This invaluable expertise will be a huge asset to the leadership team.

Connie comes to us with early childhood experience from both St. Pius Early Learning Center (ELC) and Rockwell Collins Child Development Center. Her dedication to fostering a nurturing and enriching learning environment for young learners aligns perfectly with Xavier Catholic School’s mission and values. We are confident that she will make a significant impact on the growth and success of our early childhood programs.

As Director of Early Childhood Education, Connie will be responsible for the development, support, and administration of the early childhood programming, including early childhood centers and preschool programs. She will work closely with the XCS leadership team and current Early Childhood Directors to provide high-quality early childhood programs that lay a strong foundation for academic, social, and emotional development.

We are excited to have her continue her involvement with Xavier Catholic Schools and look forward to the positive contributions she will make in enriching the lives of our youngest learners.

Director of Enrollment: Cara Joens

We are thrilled to introduce Cara Joens as the new Director of Enrollment for Xavier Catholic Schools. Cara has served as the Admissions, College & Career Coordinator at Xavier High School since 2014, where she has provided a warm welcome for prospective families and walked alongside high school students, helping them prepare for their next chapter after graduation. She has also demonstrated an unparalleled ability to collaborate with teachers, staff, administrators, and community members to make a vision come to life -- and, most importantly, make an impact for students.

Cara brings a significant amount of experience in the areas of admissions, project management, and leadership to her new role. Prior to Xavier, Cara served as a project manager for RuffaloCody and Converge Consulting. Before that, Cara led admissions efforts at Coe College as she served as Coe's Associate Director of Admissions.

In her new role, Cara will be responsible for developing and implementing enrollment strategies and tactics that will position Xavier Catholic Schools as the education destinations for students and families in the area. We are excited to see Cara use her gifts to help guide families seeking the best education experience for their children to Xavier Catholic Schools.

Director of Communications: Nick Ireland(X01)

We are excited to introduce Nick Ireland as the Director of Communications for Xavier Catholic Schools. Nick has served as the Communications Director for Xavier High School and the Xavier Foundation for the past 11 years. During that time, he has also served as a resource for Xavier Catholic Schools on many collaborative efforts. Nick's passion for Xavier and Xavier Catholic Schools is without equal and he has played an instrumental role in launching the many new initiatives, events, and outreach efforts that Xavier has introduced over the past decade. With a servant leadership mentality and a relentless spirit, Nick has devoted himself to effectively telling the Xavier story, enhancing the Xavier experience, and evangelizing the Xavier brand.

Nick has 20+ years of marketing, communications, and public relations experience across the education, media, and financial industries. He is also a "homegrown" product of our Xavier Catholic Schools, having attended St. Jude Elementary, Holy Family Middle School (St. Patrick's), LaSalle High School, and Xavier High School, where he graduated from in 2001.

Although he is no stranger to serving all Xavier Catholic Schools, Nick's new role represents a new capacity for him to share his gifts with our schools. He will craft effective messaging and communication strategies and oversee the flow of communication and information between Xavier Catholic Schools, its constituents, and the public. 

Controller: Angie Calhoun

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Angie Calhoun as the new Xavier Catholic Schools Controller. Angie brings with her a wealth of experience and expertise in financial management at both the collegiate and secondary education level, coupled with a deep commitment to our school's mission and values.

Mostly recently Angie holds the role of Controller for Xavier High School. She has a proven track record of effective financial leadership and strategic planning, which will be invaluable as we continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of education.

As the Controller, Angie will oversee all aspects of financial operations, ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the management of all XCS resources. She will work closely with the XCS central office leadership team and administrators to develop and implement sound financial policies and procedures that support our mission of providing the best possible education to our students.

Angie's dedication and expertise will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success and growth of Xavier Catholic Schools.

Facilities Director: Tom Wille

We are excited to announce that Tom Wille will serve as our Director of Facilities starting with the 2024-2025 school year! Tom has served as the Director of Maintenance at Xavier High School for the past 17 years where he has kept Xavier's buildings (146,500+ sq. ft.) and grounds (60 acres) in 'Xceptional condition day-in and day-out. Known and respected for his incredible work ethic, Tom truly puts his heart into his craft and brings a wide variety of key skills and experience across multiple trades to his new role in which he will oversee the maintaining and cleaning of all buildings and grounds utilized by Xavier Catholic Schools.