Jennifer Bigelow will become superintendent of schools for
the Arlington Diocese July 5, according to an announcement by
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde. Bigelow will succeed Sister
Bernadette McManigal, B.V.M., whose June 30 retirement after
eight years of service was announced last year.
“I am pleased to welcome Jennifer Bigelow,” said Bishop
Loverde, “whose vocation to Catholic education is clearly
evident in her decades-long service at all levels of Catholic
elementary and secondary education. Bigelow’s gifts and
passion will undoubtedly equip her to build upon the
foundations that were ably strengthened by Sister Bernadette
McManigal, B.V.M., and prior superintendents. Our growing
Catholic school community will find in Bigelow an evangelist,
a leader, and an advocate.”
A graduate of the University of Florida, Bigelow holds
master’s degrees in history and educational leadership from
the University of South Florida. She is in the final stages
of completing a doctoral degree in educational leadership
from North Carolina State University, with a focus on
Catholic school leadership and the role of the
pastor-principal relationship.
Since 2008, Bigelow has served as principal of The Franciscan
School in Raleigh, N.C. As principal, she was instrumental in
a $14 million capital campaign to expand the 700-student K-8
school, which was recognized in 2011 as a National Blue
Ribbon School of Excellence.
Prior to that, Bigelow served in several roles at the Academy
of the Holy Names in Tampa, Fla., including principal,
director of curriculum and instruction, and high school
teacher. Bigelow serves on several diocesan planning
committees for the Diocese of Raleigh and has presented
workshops at the National Catholic Educational Association. A
graduate of Catholic elementary and high schools, Bigelow was
president of the Catholic Student Union in college and has
served as catechist, extraordinary Eucharistic minister and
lector in her parish.
“I am honored and blessed to be joining such a dynamic and
faith-filled diocese,” said Bigelow. “The commitment to
Catholic education by Bishop Loverde is quite evident and I
look forward to working with him. I also look forward to
collaborating with pastors, principals and heads of schools
to continue to support the parents and students in the
Diocese of Arlington who have committed themselves to
Catholic education.”
“During our nationwide search and interaction with many
candidates, we looked for those who exhibit a deep Catholic
faith alongside a successful and collaborative track record
as a teacher and administrator at the elementary, middle and
secondary levels,” said Daniel Curtin, educational consultant
in the Office of Catholic Schools, who chaired the
superintendent search committee. “Jennifer Bigelow met all of
these qualities – and more. She is undoubtedly ready to build
on the strong foundation of Catholic education already in
place.”
Continuing a tradition of excellence in Catholic education
Bigelow succeeds
Sister Bernadette McManigal, a nationally recognized
leader in Catholic education who was appointed as the interim
superintendent of schools in September 2008, a position made
permanent seven months later.
“Sister Bernadette has served the Office of Catholic Schools
with dedication, commitment and enthusiasm since her
arrival,” Bishop Loverde said in late 2015, when Sister
Bernadette’s retirement was announced. “Her steadfast support
of Catholic education as it is rendered tangible in each of
our schools is truly outstanding, as is her firm commitment
to upholding and strengthening the Catholic identity of our
schools. Our principals, teachers, and staff have found in
Sister Bernadette a source of support, advocacy, and
inspiration. We are all indebted to her for her presence and
service to the teaching mission of this diocesan church.”
Under Sister Bernadette’s leadership, the diocese has
experienced growth in student enrollment and national
recognition for academic excellence. Since 2008, 18 diocesan
schools have received the Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S.
Department of Education. Additionally, Sister Bernadette has
worked alongside teachers and administrators to expand STEM
(Science Technology Engineering Math) programs and provide
academic support for students with unique learning needs.
With the support of Bishop Loverde and in partnership with
the Diocesan Office of Development, Sister Bernadette has
expanded diocesan tuition assistance programs, particularly
for students from low-income and immigrant families. The
diocese was able to provide more than 1,500 students with
financial assistance in the current school year.
“It has been a privilege to serve as superintendent of
Catholic Schools here in Arlington. No one could work with a
finer group of teachers or administrators, whose dedication
and commitment to Catholic identity is unparalleled,” said
Sister Bernadette. “I am very grateful to Bishop Loverde for
his steadfast support of Catholic education.”
The Diocese of Arlington educates more than 12,900 students
in 37 elementary schools. Four diocesan high schools – Paul
VI, Bishop Ireton, Bishop O’Connell, and Saint John Paul the
Great – currently serve more than 3,600 students throughout
Northern Virginia.
