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Dr. Shannon Gomez Selected to Lead St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School

Dr. Shannon Gomez, new president of St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School

05 Dec, 2025

Dr. Shannon Gomez

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the Presidential Search Committee and Dominican Veritas Ministries, we are pleased to announce that the Board has voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Shannon Gomez as the next President of St. Agnes Academy–St. Dominic School, effective July 1, 2026. 

Dr. Gomez brings more than 25 years of leadership in Catholic and independent schools, most recently serving as Head of School at Connelly School of the Holy Child in Potomac, Maryland.

Under her visionary leadership, Connelly School of the Holy Child transformed into a true destination school in a highly competitive Washington, D.C. market. Dr. Gomez led a 20-year master campus plan, launched two major capital campaigns, modernized learning environments through faculty-driven innovation, and increased enrollment by 30 percent. Through her stewardship, the school has thrived as a joyful, mission-driven community, recognized for both academic and spiritual excellence.

Dr. Gomez’s deep commitment to Catholic education is the foundation of her life and work. She views educational leadership as a ministry and is known for building vibrant, inclusive communities where students are encouraged to grow in faith, intellect, and service. Shannon is energized by the opportunity to partner with our Board, educators, families, and students to help write the next chapter of St. Agnes-St. Dominic history.  

Shannon, her husband Art, and their six children—Artie (16), Liam (14), Marina (13), Finn (10), Lena (8), and Anna (6)—are thrilled about joining our community. The entire Gomez family looks forward to making their new home in Memphis and becoming active members of our school and greater Catholic community.

Dr. Shannon Gomez
 

Dr. Gomez shared her enthusiasm and appreciation for joining our community,

"I am filled with gratitude and excitement as I step into the St. Agnes Academy–St. Dominic School community, a place where the Dominican mission has been lived with dedication and heart since 1851. From my very first visit, I sensed the warmth, purpose, and unique spirit that make this school so remarkable, a spirit that celebrates each student as an individual, challenges them to grow, and encourages them to shine as their best selves.

I am especially thankful to President Hood for his thoughtful leadership and the profound impact he has had on shaping this community. My husband, Art, and our children are eager to call Memphis home and to join all of you in nurturing this extraordinary place we are so lucky to be part of.”

To the Search Committee, whose careful discernment brought us together, and to the Board of Trustees, who have entrusted me with this responsibility, I am deeply grateful. Together, I look forward to building on the remarkable legacy of St. Agnes Academy–St. Dominic School, honoring our past, embracing the present, and imagining a future where the Dominican spirit continues to thrive for generations to come."

Thank you to every member of the SAA–SDS community for your support, engagement, and prayers throughout this thorough search process. We are grateful to the Search Committee for the time, dedication, and thoughtful leadership they brought to this important work and to our partners at Carney Sandoe, Barbara Daush and Jess Roberson, for their expert guidance. We are confident Dr. Gomez is the ideal leader to steward our school’s 175-year legacy of Dominican education and advance the school’s mission.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Shannon Gomez and her family to St. Agnes Academy–St. Dominic School.

Respectfully,

Travis LeMonte
Chair, Search Committee
St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School

 

John Toohig
Chair, Board of Trustees
St. Agnes Academy - St. Dominic School

September 26, 2025

 

Dear St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School Community,

With the school year well underway, we are making significant progress in our search for the next President of St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School. We’re pleased to share the latest developments in this important process.

Our search partners at Carney, Sandoe & Associates, Barbara Daush and Jess Roberson, reviewed more than 35 outstanding applications—an impressive response that underscores the strength and reputation of our school community.

Following their initial assessment, they presented 12 candidates to the Search Committee. That group was then narrowed down to seven semi-finalists who participated in virtual interviews. After thoughtful review and discussion, the Search Committee has invited four finalists to campus for in-person interviews, which will be held throughout October.

These campus visits are a valuable opportunity for our community members and staff to engage directly with each finalist and share their feedback with the committee. Once the finalist interviews are completed, the committee will recommend its choice to both the Board of Trustees and the Dominican Veritas Ministries Board for approval. Our aim is to announce the next President before Christmas, with the leadership transition set for July 1, 2026.

This is a pivotal time in our school’s history, and we remain committed to open communication throughout this process. As a reminder, please visit the Presidential Search page on our website for the latest updates, and feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback you may have.

Thank you for your ongoing prayers, involvement, and support as we move forward with this vital work.

With gratitude,

Travis LeMonte,

Chair, St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School Search Committee

From Travis LeMonte, Chair SAA-SDS Search Committee

 

August 18, 2025

 

Dear St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School Community,


With our Stars and Suns back on campus, we want to provide you with an update on the progress of our search for the next president of St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School. Since May, the Search Committee has been working closely with our search partners at Carney, Sandoe & Associates to recruit and identify qualified candidates.

Our consultants — Barbara Daush and Jess Roberson — have led a dedicated and proactive national outreach effort, engaging prospective candidates. This confidential phase of the search will continue throughout August and into September. Their work has been guided by the Position Description and your responses to the Community Survey, as well as information gained during their visit to campus last April.

The Search Committee will receive candidate profile information to review later this week, and from there we will select a number of candidates for confidential Zoom interviews in early September. Following these interviews, a group of finalists will be invited to visit campus later in the fall. During these visits, community members and school staff will have the opportunity to meet the candidates and provide feedback.

Ultimately, the Search Committee will recommend its preferred candidate to the Board of Trustees and the Dominican Veritas Ministries Board for approval. Our goal is to announce the next President before Christmas, with a start date of July 1, 2026. 

We will continue to share updates, and I encourage you to visit the Presidential Search page on the school’s website to view the President Position Description and other important information. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments about the process. 

This is a remarkable moment in the history of our school. Through the strong leadership and dedicated service of President Hood, St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School stands well-prepared to welcome our next leader—someone who will build on our school’s proud foundation and carry forward our cherished Dominican traditions.

Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support as we move forward.  

Sincerely,

Travis LeMonte,

Chair, St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School Search Committee
 
 

From Travis LeMonte, Chair SAA-SDS Search Committee

June 6, 2025

Dear St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School Community,

Recently, we distributed a survey to members of the St. Agnes-St. Dominic Community to assist our consultants at Carney, Sandoe & Associates in creating a pool of outstanding candidates in our search for our next President. We received responses to the survey from current parents, Alumnae/i, and faculty/staff. The overall feedback indicates that community members care deeply about the school and appreciated the opportunity to participate in the exercise. Thank you for your participation!

Of particular interest to the search committee at this point in the search are the responses to the following questions :

1. Which of the following phrases best describe what you currently value about SAA-SDS?  The results were:

  • Academic Excellence - 55.27%                                             
  • The School’s sense of community - 32.91%                    
  • A safe learning environment - 24.05%                                
  • Small class sizes and low student-teacher ratio - 22.36%   
  • Dedicated teaching staff - 21.54%                                          

 

2. Which areas should be priorities for the next President?

  • Recruiting, retaining and compensating high-quality faculty - 58.65%      
  • Balancing enrollment numbers with high admissions standards - 28.69%   
  • Enhancing academic excellence - 27.43%       
  • Renovating/enhancing school facilities/infrastructure - 26.16%              

 

3. What are the top three most important professional experiences and qualities for the next President?

  • Leadership, management experience - 45.15%     
  • Educational administration experience - 33.33%                     
  • Strategic planning & development - 24.89%                           
  • Budgeting and financial management - 23.63%                       

 

4. What three characteristics or qualities would be most important for the next President to possess?

  • Strong leadership skills - 45.57%                                          
  • Excellent communicator - 37.97%                                           
  • Relatable; connects with students, families, staff - 20.25%    
  • Innovative, forward-thinking - 14.35%                               

 

We thank you all very much for your participation and look forward to sharing further updates with you. Below is the link to a page on our website which contains copies of communications about the search as well as other information about the process.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or to our consultants from Carney, Sandoe & Associates. Barbara Daush and Jess Roberson.

Thank you!

Travis LeMonte,

Chair, St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School Search Committee

From Travis LeMonte, Chair SAA-SDS Search Committee

April 14, 2025

Dear St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School Community,

I am pleased to provide an update on the progress of our search for the next President of St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School.  This is a significant process for our school, and I am grateful for the engagement and support from our entire community as we move forward. Our mission at St. Agnes-St. Dominic is grounded in our Catholic, Dominican values, and this will be paramount as we proceed in our search. 

 

Search Committee Formation

We have finalized the members of the Search Committee—a dedicated and experienced group representing key stakeholders from both St. Agnes Academy and St. Dominic School. Each member brings valuable insight, deep knowledge of our community, and a shared commitment to the future of our school.

Search Committee Members:

  • Travis LeMonte – Trustee | SAA LS parent
  • John Toohig – Board Chair | SAA US & LS parent
  • Dr. Catherine Weber – Trustee | SAA US & LS parent | SAA alumna
  • Brett Clothier – Trustee | SAA LS & SDS parent
  • Beth Bradley – Trustee | Alumna | Parent of an SAA graduate
  • David Scully – Trustee | SAA LS Parent | SDS alumnus
  • Dr. Kristin Melley – Trustee | Dominican Veritas Ministries Delegate
  • Molly Sicuro – Former Board Chair | Parent of an SAA graduate & SDS graduate
  • Mike Mattingly – Former Board Chair | Parent of SAA graduates | Current SAA grandparent
  • *Scott Barron – Advisor to the Search Committee - Chief Reinvention Officer | Founder of School Growth

*Scott Barron will serve as an Advisor to the Search Committee. Over the past seven years, Scott has partnered with the school, working closely with the Board of Trustees, President Hood, and the school’s leadership team on key strategic initiatives. With over 30 years of experience leading and consulting with schools nationwide, Scott brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of our school community, making him an invaluable asset to our search team.

For more information on Scott Barron see the link below:

School Growth

 

Search Firm Selection

We are pleased to announce that the Search Committee has engaged Carney Sandoe & Associates (CS&A) as our search firm. CS&A is a leading executive search firm specializing in independent and Catholic schools worldwide. They previously led the successful search that brought us President Hood, and we are confident in their ability to guide us in finding our next leader.

We are especially fortunate that Barbara Daush (former President of SAA-SDS, parent of SDS graduates, and current SAA & SDS grandparent) and Jess Roberson (current SDS parent) will serve as our Search Consultants. Their deep ties to our school community, combined with CS&A’s expertise, position us well for a thoughtful and successful search.

For more information on CS&A and our consultants, please see the links below:

 

Looking Ahead

We will launch a national search within the next month. Over the course of the approximately eight-month search process, we will seek input from key members of our St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School community, including faculty, staff, administration, students, parents (current and former), alumni, donors, and other valued partners and friends. 

In the coming weeks our Search Consultants will visit the school to conduct interviews and focus group sessions. We will also distribute a community survey to gather input on the qualities and qualifications you would like to see in our next President. If you are receiving this email, you will also receive a link to the survey. Your participation is essential, as your feedback will help shape our search.

Additionally, we are adding a President Search Page on the St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School website, where we will share regular updates throughout the process.

While there is still much work ahead, I am confident that with our dedicated Search Committee, experienced consultants, and the support of our community, we are well positioned to carry out a thoughtful and thorough search. We are dedicated to finding an outstanding President who shares our deep commitment to the Dominican Pillars of Study, Prayer, Community, and Service to lead St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School into the future. Please keep our school in your prayers as we move through this process.

Sincerely,

Travis LeMonte,
Chair, St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School Search Committee

From Tom Hood, President SAA-SDS

"Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Dear St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School Community,

When I selected this year’s scripture verse, I hoped it would inspire thankfulness in our community for all the Lord has blessed us with. I am personally grateful for all I have been given. It is with this spirit that I write this letter. After much reflection and prayerful consideration, I am writing to inform you that I will retire as President of St. Agnes Academy-St Dominic School on June 30, 2026, at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

Mary-Lee and I have prayed extensively about this decision. Serving this extraordinary community for the past nine years has been one of my life's greatest honors and joys. Together, we have navigated challenges, celebrated achievements, and steadfastly upheld the Dominican traditions that are the foundation of our school. It has been a privilege to work alongside dedicated faculty, staff, students, parents, and alumnae, all of whom embody the values of Study, Prayer, Community, and Service.

During my tenure, I have had the opportunity to witness and contribute to our school's growth. We significantly increased the safety and security on our campus. We enhanced numerous academic, athletic, arts, social, and spiritual programs. We navigated a global pandemic, continuing our tradition of never closing and serving our students through any calamity. We completed a successful accreditation and are preparing for a second. Finally, we modernized our facilities, remodeling them when appropriate and building anew when needed. These accomplishments reflect the collective dedication of our community. 

The decision to retire was not made lightly. I have always considered myself the caretaker of this special institution. It is time for that honor to be passed on to a new visionary leader. St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School is poised for continued success. I am confident that the board and leadership team, inspired by the love and support of the Dominican Sisters of Peace and Dominican Veritas Ministries, will guide the school to new heights.

The unwavering support of our dedicated Board of Trustees has been a blessing beyond measure. Throughout the last nine years, the Trustees have been guided by the dynamic leadership of Board Chairs Patrick Kruczek, Marta Patrick, Frank Lamanna, Molly Sicuro, and currently Travis LeMonte. Working with our exceptional Leadership Team and all our educators has been a delight and an honor. They have an unmatched passion for loving our students, partnering with our families, and building the best Dominican-Catholic institution anywhere. In short, they are the face of Christ in our community. I know our school has a bright future.

I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition and will work closely with the Board and my successor. You can count on my continued dedication to the mission and values of St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School, and I will always cherish my time here.

Thank you for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading St. Agnes Academy - St. Dominic School. It has been a privilege to contribute to its enduring legacy, and I am incredibly grateful for the support and collaboration of the entire community.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Thomas G. Hood. O.P.A.

President

Dear St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School Community,

It is with a mixture of gratitude and bittersweet emotion that we announce the retirement of our esteemed President, Mr. Tom Hood, at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year. Tom’s decade of service as President of St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School has been marked by extraordinary leadership, unwavering dedication, and a profound commitment to the Dominican traditions - Prayer, Study, Community, Service - that serve as the foundation of our school. Under his leadership, St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School has flourished as a vibrant, inclusive community of academic excellence, spiritual growth, and holistic development. 

Tom’s impact has been nothing short of transformative. During his presidency, he successfully guided the school through accreditation, ensuring that we remain a benchmark of excellence in Catholic education. He successfully led the school through Phase 1 of the capital campaign raising over $17 million dollars, strengthening our endowment to its highest level ever, and modernizing campus facilities through the construction of our state-of-the-art STEM building, creating spaces that inspire learning, creativity, and community now and for generations to come.

Under Tom’s stewardship, our academic, athletic, arts, social, and spiritual programs have all been enhanced, allowing our students to thrive in every dimension of their development. His commitment to campus security has ensured a safe environment where students, faculty, and staff can learn and grow with confidence.

Perhaps most notably, Tom’s steady hand and compassionate leadership carried us through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. In a time of uncertainty, he worked tirelessly to prioritize the well-being of our students, families, and staff while maintaining the continuity and quality of education for which our school is known.

Tom’s legacy is one of growth, resilience, and unwavering Catholic faith in the mission of St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School. His leadership has positioned us for continued success, and the impact of his contributions will be felt for years to come.

The Board of Trustees is committed to a thoughtful and deliberate search process to identify the next leader who will build upon Tom’s extraordinary work. The Board’s search committee will leverage resources to conduct an extensive national search. We will keep you informed as we move through this transition together, and we ask for your prayerful support throughout the process. 

Please join us in expressing our deepest gratitude to Tom for his remarkable service to our school community. We look forward to celebrating his many accomplishments in the months ahead.

Respectfully,

Travis LeMonte
Chairman, Board of Trustees
St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School

 

John Toohig
Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees
St. Agnes Academy - St. Dominic School

Search Committee Members:

  • Travis LeMonte – Former Board Chair | SAA LS parent
  • John Toohig –  Board Chair | SAA US & LS parent
  • Dr. Catherine Weber – Trustee | SAA US & LS parent | SAA alumna
  • Brett Clothier – Trustee | SAA LS & SDS parent
  • Beth Bradley – Trustee | Alumna | Parent of an SAA graduate
  • David Scully – Trustee | SAA LS Parent | SDS alumnus
  • Dr. Kristin Melley – Trustee | Dominican Veritas Ministries Delegate
  • Molly Sicuro – Former Board Chair | Parent of an SAA graduate & SDS graduate
  • Mike Mattingly – Former Board Chair | Parent of SAA graduates | Current SAA grandparent
  • Scott Barron – Advisor to the Search Committee - Chief Reinvention Officer | Founder of School Growth

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