St. John’s Preparatory School in Collegeville has hired Jon McGee as its next head of school. He will be the first lay leader of the school following 29 monastic members of St. John’s Abbey who have led SJP since its founding in 1857.
McGee, who currently serves as the vice president for planning and strategy at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University, will take office July 1. He will replace current headmaster Benedictine Father Jonathan Licari, who announced his retirement last fall.
McGee, a native of Mankato, Minnesota, graduated from St. John’s University in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in government. He earned a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs in 1988. He joined the administration of the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University in 1999 as the director of institutional planning and research after leadership positions at the Minnesota Private College Council and the Minnesota Department of Finance. In addition to planning and strategy, he also has worked in enrollment, communications and public affairs.
“I have been fortunate to work with superb institutions and organizations in a variety of roles to help them create, shape and move toward their aspirations,” said McGee. “The opportunity to continue that work as head of school at St. John’s Prep is extraordinary and one I am excited to embrace.”
McGee is the author of two books, “Dear Parents: A Field Guide for College Preparation”and “Breakpoint: The Changing Marketplace for Higher Education.” He is also a trustee of the college board and serves on the faculty of the Harvard Summer Institute on College Admissions.
“Jon McGee is an excellent educational leader with extensive experience in the private college and university market not only at St. Ben’s and St. John’s but across the country,” said Chris Twomey, chair of the St. John’s Preparatory School board of regents and a member of the class of 1966. “His years of dedication to education and students’ preparation for life, and his passion for Prep and the Benedictine values, was evident throughout the search and interview process. We are thrilled he will lead the school at this historic moment.”
“The Catholic Benedictine values that guide and energize daily life at St. John’s Prep and the greater St. John’s community have become an important part of my own and my family’s life,” McGee said. “It is an extraordinary privilege to be a part of this community and contribute to its enduring values.”
McGee and his wife, Ann, live in Cold Spring and have four children; two who have graduated from Prep and two who are attending the school. “Our children have received an extraordinary educational experience at St. John’s Prep and I look forward to ensuring that those advantages remain for students for generations to come,” he said.