CATCHING UP: DR. TODD SWEDA

Catching up

DR. TODD SWEDA

“Each year I became even more committed to the Holy Cross mission and how we were forming young people in remarkable ways.”

During his 15 years at Gilmour - from 1998 to 2013 - Dr. Todd Sweda served in many roles. We caught up with the former faculty member who, after leaving Gilmour, served as president of Archbishop Hoban High School for six years, and is currently in his third year as senior director of the Office of Catholic Education and Formation for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri.

Wow! Fifteen years at Gilmour. That’s an impressive run. Yes, indeed. I was blessed with so many different opportunities to serve. From starting as a teacher and dean of every kind, to finishing my tenure as associate head of school, I was afforded the lens of viewing the school on the full spectrum of preschool through Grade 12. Each year I became even more committed to the Holy Cross mission and how we were forming young people in remarkable ways.

What enticed you to leave Gilmour to take the president role at Hoban? It was an opportunity that allowed me to steer my own ship. It was an exciting chance to apply my Gilmour experience with advancement as that is a large part of a president’s role. And most exciting was being able to lead another Holy Cross school and promote the charisms I was already committed to.

Now you’re in St. Louis where you serve as senior director for the Office of Catholic Education & Formation of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. That’s a nice title. [Laughs] Yes. To make it easier to understand, it’s basically similar to what a superintendent does for a school system, but on a much larger scale because I’m also overseeing religious education, strategic planning and finance, and human resources. I’m leading the big picture of the school system here and have been enjoying those challenges.

You’re still a Gilmour Trustee, which keeps you involved with Gilmour Academy … and Ohio. Yes. Northeast Ohio will always be my home and I imagine I’ll make my way back eventually. But, being a Trustee allows me to maintain those relationships I built early on in my career, to help shape the future of the school and, selfishly, to learn new ideas from a cuttingedge school like Gilmour and maybe bring back some of that learning to my schools in St. Louis.

Looking back, what was the best thing about Gilmour Academy? I had a lot of roles, for which I’m proud and thankful. But, I think serving as an advisor to students during my years at the school was very important. To have the ability to be a “coach” and “cheerleader” during a time when students need that kind of support was important to me. To this day, I’m still getting emails, Christmas cards and wedding invitations from former advisees, which is nice.