New President and Principal

“Have hope and firm faith in God, for he will help you in everything.”

St. Angela, Prologue to the Counsels, 15 From the New Academy President Dr. Karen G. Jakuback

Dear Ursuline Community,

It is with hope and faith that I begin my role as the President of Ursuline Academy of New Orleans. I am thrilled to be a part of the great Ursuline tradition in New Orleans as we stand poised to celebrate our tricentennial. In joining this legacy, I know that I am but a caretaker of the Academy for a moment in time - continuing the work of the many courageous Ursuline Sisters and lay leaders who have gone before me. As a community, we will continue to honor our traditions while always incorporating innovative education and equipping our girls for the future. I look forward to working together with you, the Ursuline community, to envision all that we want Ursuline to be for the year 300 and beyond!

I am also very pleased to announce that our new K-12 Principal, Dr. Judy Armstrong has begun her new role. I welcome Dr. Armstrong with enthusiasm and gratitude for the many gifts she is already sharing with the Ursuline Academy community. We have been working together as a team to ensure that fidelity to our mission, faith education, and academic excellence will continue to be the hallmarks of Ursuline education in New Orleans.

I am very grateful for the warm welcome I have received from alumnae, students, parents, and staff. I deeply appreciate the members of the administrative team who have worked hard to provide for a smooth transition. I am especially grateful to Dr. Margarita O’Byrne Curtis ’69 for her gift of service to Ursuline during a most extraordinary year. Whether you are brand new to Ursuline or a legacy family, I look forward to many upcoming opportunities to meet each of you in person. Together, we continue to build the Ursuline legacy.

Serviam,

Dr. Karen G. Jakuback

Left, Dr. Armstrong; Right, Dr. Jakuback

DR. JUDY ARMSTRONG, NEW K-12 PRINCIPAL

Dr. Judy Hickman Armstrong began her educational career teaching high school and college biology and math. She has extensive experience in K–12 school and district administration as the St. Joseph Academy Academic Associate Principal, St. Thomas More Catholic School Principal, and Diocese of Baton Rouge Assistant Superintendent. Her Louisiana Department of Education leadership experiences include Supervisor of Secondary Education, Program Manager for Research, and Regional Service Director for twelve parishes in Louisiana with a primary focus on school improvement opportunities for teachers and school board members. She served as a consultant for School Improvement to support schools in the analysis and alignment of mission effectiveness, student performance measures, and academic programs. Dr. Armstrong holds a bachelor's degree from Louisiana College in Biology and Math, a Master's of Education from Louisiana State University in Supervision and Administration, a Ph.D. from Louisiana State University in Educational Administration and Business, and a Master's of Religious Education from Loyola University. Her most recent honors include U.S. Office of Education, Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding Leadership and the National Catholic Educational Association Presidential Award.