Welcome Dr. Melnyk P’18 Our New President

The Ursuline School Board of Trustees and Board of Members were thrilled to announce on May 12, 2021 the appointment of Colleen Melnyk, EdD, as President of The Ursuline School, effective July 1, 2021.

Dr. Melnyk is an experienced leader who models the Ursuline values of faith, integrity and respect for all. An educator in the Mamaroneck and New Rochelle school districts since 1990, Dr. Melnyk joins Ursuline from her position as the principal of the Murray Avenue School in Larchmont.

Colleen Melnyk grew up in the Bronx and graduated from St. Nicholas of Tolentine Elementary School and The Bronx High School of Science. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Master of Science in Elementary Education, and Doctorate in Education each from Fordham University.

Dr. Melnyk is well acquainted with the Ursuline mission and the operations of our school. Since 2019, she has served as a trustee at The Ursuline School as well as Chair of the Education Committee of the Board of Trustees and a member of the Executive Committee.

Perhaps more instructive even than her role as trustee is the fact that her daughter, Mary Kate, is a proud Ursuline alumna, Class of 2018. Dr. Melnyk has noted this as she shared her enthusiasm for taking on the role of president and the importance of the school’s mission, stating, “The Ursuline School represents a tradition of academic excellence with special attention to the education of the whole individual. I have been deeply moved by the success and experiences of my own daughter, who is an alumna of The Ursuline School. I am very excited to

Dr. Melnyk with Peer Leaders at a Welcome Reception for incoming students, May 2021. lead and inspire the next generation of graduates to learn, think critically about the world, and prepare to become leaders themselves, with faith and integrity, committed to the Ursuline tradition of Serviam.” Dr. Melnyk describes herself as a thoughtful listener and true team player. She says, “I have the ability to bring groups of people together and work in consensus towards a common goal.” In the past year, she began journaling each evening. “This helped me reflect upon some of the positive and not so positive moments each day. This habit allows me to feel centered at the end of each day and I plan to continue this practice moving forward.” In any free time that she may have, Dr. Melnyk loves to read and take long walks. Dr. Melnyk and her husband Stephen also have a 25-yearold son, Sean. They live in Crestwood and are members of Annunciation-Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Dr. Melnyk also serves as a member of the Advisory Council of Annunciation School. Left to right: We appreciate that Dr. Sheila Sohr, Board Chair; Eileen Davidson; Colleen Melnyk; Melnyk was able to join us Maureen Welch, OSU, Provincial, Eastern Province at several year-end events this past spring, including Graduation, Moving Up, and some of the welcome events for incoming students. We look forward to introducing our new president formally at her investiture in fall 2021.