By Kate Quiñones
CNA Staff, Feb 6, 2025 / 08:00 am
The Archdiocese of Miami and St. Thomas University (STU) in Florida have partnered to create a groundbreaking program aimed at training selected educators, establishing a pool of future leaders for Catholic education in the region.
Jim Rigg, the superintendent of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Miami, collaborated with David Armstrong, the president of St. Thomas University, to develop a specialized two-year master’s program. This program, offered in cohorts, is designed to prepare individuals for leadership roles within Catholic education in the archdiocese.
“Given the crucial role of leadership, the STU program is instrumental in cultivating a new generation of leaders,” said Rigg. “As positions like principal become available in the coming years, we will have a group of well-trained individuals who have been specifically nurtured through a program tailored to Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Miami.”
With 65 schools serving over 36,000 students, the archdiocese places great emphasis on developing strong Catholic leadership. The growing accessibility of private education through Florida’s school choice program underscores the importance of this initiative.
The master’s program combines STU’s educational curriculum with specialized courses focused on mission and ministry. Participants in the Catholic Educational Leadership Cohort, predominantly chosen by Rigg, receive scholarships from both STU and the archdiocese to cover program costs.
“We have merged the strengths of both organizations to create a comprehensive program,” Rigg explained. “We have taken STU’s existing educational leadership master’s program and enriched it with Catholic-centric content in every course.”
Selected teachers pursuing their master’s degrees benefit from partial scholarships from both STU and the archdiocese, contributing a portion of the fees themselves. In exchange, participants commit to serving in the archdiocese for at least three years following graduation.
The program features two new courses dedicated solely to the mission and ministry of Catholic education, providing a unique and enriching learning experience for all involved.
Joining forces to shape the future of faith-based education, the Catholic Educational Leadership Cohort at St. Thomas University brings together a unique blend of academic expertise and real-world experience. Instructors in this program hail from both STU professors and practitioners of Catholic education within the archdiocese, ensuring a well-rounded and comprehensive learning experience.
David Armstrong, the president of STU, has incorporated his renowned ethical leadership program into the curriculum, enhancing the educational leadership and organizational leadership aspects already in place. By infusing ethical leadership principles that align with theology teachings, the program aims to develop future leaders for the archdiocese’s faith-based schools.
STU Provost Michelle Johnson-Garcia emphasized the program’s dynamic nature, attributing its success to the synergy between STU faculty and archdiocesan experts who serve as instructors. This collaborative approach to teaching provides students with a well-rounded perspective on the challenges and opportunities within Catholic education.
Jim Rigg, the superintendent of Catholic schools, highlighted the critical need for strong Catholic leaders within the archdiocese. Recognizing that effective leadership is paramount to the success of Catholic schools, Rigg’s support for the program underscores its importance in shaping the future of faith-based education.
