Photo courtesy of Ursuline Academy of Dallas Facebook.
Ursuline Academy of Dallas names its current principal, Dr. Andrea Shurley, as the next president starting July 1, 2024.
Dr. Shurley will become the eighth president of the academy, succeeding President Gretchen Kane.
“For nearly a decade, Andrea Shurley’s leadership has been essential to the successful innovations and growth at Ursuline Academy, assuring excellence in academics, student well-being and faculty and staff development,” said Jon Piot, chair of Ursuline Academy of Dallas Board of Trustees. “Our community is truly blessed that her dedication and passionate commitment to the Catholic Ursuline core values and all-girls education will energize her vital new efforts to lead Ursuline.”
Before becoming the principal in 2014, she spent eleven impactful years in teaching and administration with the Schools of the Sacred Heart in San Francisco. She also had a transformative tenure as the head of the school convent of the Sacred Heart High School. Prior to her work in education, she built a successful technology career in Austin and Silicon Valley.
“Ursuline’s mission and values, the overarching commitment to Serviam, and the opportunity to continue building on the history and promise of Ursuline call me in many ways,” Dr. Shurley said. “It is humbling and fulfilling to witness these wonderful young women enter our doors as freshmen and emerge as graduates, prepared to lead as women of faith.”
Dr. Andrea Shurley. Photo courtesy of Ursuline Academy of Dallas.
Shurley received degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University in San and the University of San Francisco. She is also a graduate of the Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Houston.
The Board of Trustees worked with Ursuline Sisters, Gretchen Kane, and members of the community to search for the next president. The process took seven months to evaluate through a robust and diverse pool of candidates, according to Piot.
“I love being part of this school community, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the transformative growth and development of Ursuline over these past 10 years,” Dr. Shurley said. “Working closely with Gretchen Kane has been the most formative and joyful experience of my professional life.”
Next semester, Ursuline will celebrate its 150 years in Dallas and will recognize Ms. Kane’s tenure as they transition Dr. Shurley into her new role.
“Our team of educators is devoted and focused on excellence. The extended community, parents, alumnae, and engaged partners help us remain focused on sustaining our heritage and identity as a Catholic, Ursuline school,” Dr. Shurley said. “And the Ursuline Sisters are the soul of what we do. We see their gifts and legacies in our daily lives and in the spirit of St. Angela that fills our hearts.”
