Governance
Ursuline Sisters of the Central Province
Ursuline Academy was founded by the Ursuline Sisters and continues to operate under the charism set forth by St. Angela Merici. Ursuline Academy is governed by its Board of Trustees, which is supported by several committees. The Board of Trustees is held accountable for fidelity to the school's mission by the Ursuline Education Foundation, a lay body established by the Sisters.
We are excited to begin recruiting Board members who will begin their terms at the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year. Our goal as a Board is to reflect our community and offer a strong partnership to the Academy’s administration in setting the overall direction, maintaining proper governance, and raising funds. We invite all members of the Ursuline Academy community to nominate themselves or others who have the time and expertise to provide leadership as committee members or members of the Board of Trustees.
We’ve included all of the information we think would be helpful below. If you would like additional information, please contact Peggy Slater at pslater@ursulinestl.org.
Thank you for your interest. We look forward to hearing from you!
-- The Membership Committee
Board members are recruited during the early months of the spring semester for three-year terms that begin the following July. The Board of Trustees meets 5-6 times per year on Thursday evenings. The Board is supported by the President of Ursuline Academy.
Criteria for serving as a member of the Board of Trustees are as follows:
- Faith-filled person whose values align with the Ursuline and Catholic tradition
- Proven history of financial support to Ursuline Academy
- Employment and/or education background with skills that would assist the Board
- Ability and willingness to attend the majority of Board meetings (5-6 per year, Thursday evenings)
- Ability and willingness to serve a three-year term
- An ability to donate or raise a meaningful amount for Ursuline each year
- Active participation on a Committee
- Will not have a current student at Ursuline Academy during board term
Those serving on Committees of the Board may be identified and begin serving at any time of the year. Committee members are invited to serve based upon their expertise related to the work of the committee. Committees meet on varied schedules, depending upon the work to be done.
All committees are supported by a member of the Senior Administrative Team.
The current committees of the Ursuline Academy Board of Trustees are:
Building and Grounds Committee (B&G)
The B&G Committee collaborates with Academy leadership on matters pertaining to the maintenance, repair, and renovation of existing buildings, capital construction and care of the grounds. We rely upon this group, who have experience in real estate, construction, project management and facilities maintenance to identify strategies for providing the best possible educational environment. In 24/25, they are focused on meeting upcoming needs for additional classroom space as well as longer-term issues such as plans for a new HVAC system.
The Advancement Committee advises the Board of Trustees on matters pertaining to fundraising and donor management. Members collaborate to establish goals for all fundraising events/programs and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees concerning its role in accomplishing these goals. The committee’s current focus is on moving the 175th Capital Campaign from the quiet stage to public as soon as possible.
The Finance Committee advises the Board of Trustees on matters pertaining to the financial position of Ursuline Academy. They review monthly financial statements and regular investment performance reports; conduct a careful review of the annual operating budget prior to making a recommendation to the Board for its approval; and together with the Director of Finance and Operations, serve as primary contact with the audit firm and investment portfolio manager. This year, the impact of this committee has been felt in its review of investment management and audit relationships, to ensure that our partnerships are aligned with the Academy’s best interests.
Mission Integration Committee
The Mission Integration Committee assures that Academy activities, curriculum and community life reflect its stated mission and advises the Board of Trustees on matters pertaining to Ursuline sponsorship, including completion of the Ursuline Identity Assessment. Those with experience in educational, mission-related and global interests can make a significant contribution to this committee that focuses on “what makes Ursuline Ursuline.” This year, the committee presented an updated Mission Statement to the Board of Trustees for approval and is currently reviewing the Graduate Profile.
The Membership Committee maintains a roster of qualified, mission-focused individuals to serve as members of the Board of Trustees. Activity includes: recruiting candidates for the Board and its committees, recommending a slate of officers and new members to the Board and Ursuline Sisters each spring, and conducting New Board Member Orientation and the annual Board Evaluation. During the 22/23 school year, the Membership Committee implemented a more structured process and guided the implementation of an user-friendly online nomination process.
Be a part of Ursuline Academy's Board of Trustees
We invite all members of the Ursuline community to nominate themselves or others who have the time and expertise to provide leadership as committee members or members of the Board.
Board members are recruited during the early months of the spring semester for three-year terms that begin the following July. The Board of Trustees meets 5-6 times per year on Thursday evenings. The Board is supported by the President of Ursuline Academy.
