The Villa Joseph Marie High School board of directors have appointed Dr. Karen Kenkel as interim president.
Since 2016, Kenkel has been the founding director of the Quest Forward Academy. As the founding head, she has managed every aspect of the high school: friend- and fundraising; admissions; marketing; innovative curriculum development; and staff recruitment, training, and supervision. She has also created new systems, policies, and procedures, and cultivated a strong leadership team that allowed her to focus on strategic initiatives and community outreach.
She previously taught elementary school for several years, and served as an instructor at Stanford Online High School, where she designed and taught high school and college-level courses in philosophy, history, English, and film, and also served as the school’s Head of Humanities, Philosophy and Acting Head of Instruction. She also served as assistant professor of German studies at Stanford University.
As interim president of Villa, effective July 19, Kenkel’s focus will be to provide the foundation to achieve Villa’s vision, as outlined in the school’s strategic plan. She will also actively participate in student and alumnae activities. In addition, she will manage the inspiration of Villa’s student population, increase diversity, and facilitate the improvement of the school’s infrastructure.
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