Sweeney is appointed as the new Notre Dame Prep principal

My hope is that the real impact that I will have on Notre Dame Preparatory will be focusing the school on learning, collaboration, and results while providing a stable influence on the further development of the tradition of excellence for which the school is known.”

Dr. Eugene “Gene” Sweeney

The Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, has announced Dr. Eugene “Gene” Sweeney, as the new principal at Notre Dame Preparatory in Scottsdale, beginning his official duties on July 1.

“I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve as principal at Notre Dame Preparatory,” said Dr. Sweeney in a prepared statement. “This is an extraordinary community and an extraordinary group of educators and students and I look forward to serving it and them to the best of my ability.”

An assistant principal at Seton Catholic Preparatory in Chandler,  he is an experienced school administrator who has worked in various educational leadership roles, according to a press release.

In addition to serving as the assistant superintendent and superintendent in large and diverse school systems in the midwest, he has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame.

“It has been a privilege to work with the outstanding staff, students, and community at Seton Catholic Preparatory,” Dr. Sweeney said.

In 1995, while working as the principal at Penn High School in Mishawaka, Indiana, Dr. Sweeney received special recognition from the U.S. Department of Education for providing staff development in implementing effective technology applications in the classroom, the release said.

For the past 16 years, in addition to his administrative work, he has served as a consultant in schools and school districts throughout the U.S. and Canada.

“I’m excited to work collaboratively with Dr. Sweeney. His expertise, knowledge, and experience will help move the school forward,” said current president/principal Jill Platt in a prepared statement.

She will continue as the school’s president when Dr. Sweeney begins, the release noted.

“His devotion to Catholic education is palpable and his presence on campus will be a welcome addition to our family-oriented community,” said Ms. Platt, commending Dr. Sweeney who hails from Fox Lake, Illinois, where he attended Catholic grade school and high school.

“Catholic Schools provide young people and older people with the invaluable opportunity to expand their knowledge, explore their passions, create community, strengthen their sense of self and come to know God all in one place,” Dr. Sweeney said.

Post high school, he graduated from Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in literature and communications. He earned a master’s degree in educational administration and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies, both from Loyola University in Chicago.

“My hope is that the real impact that I will have on Notre Dame Preparatory will be focusing the school on learning, collaboration, and results while providing a stable influence on the further development of the tradition of excellence for which the school is known,” Dr. Sweeney said.

He lives in Gilbert with his wife, Maggie. They have four adult children, detailed the release, adding in his free time, he enjoys hiking, biking, reading and writing.