New Head of School Selected at St. Anthony

Tim Cullen.

Timothy Cullen has been named Head of School of St. Anthony School on Maui, effective July 10, 2017.

The appointment was made by Rev. Roland Bunda, S.M., pastor of St. Anthony Parish, following an extensive national search.

The search included the involvement of a Head of School search committee chaired by Very Rev. Terrance A. M. Watanabe, Vicar Forane and pastor of St. Theresa Parish in nearby Kīhei.

Cullen is a lifelong educator who most recently served as Superintendent of the Bishop Hoffman Catholic School system and Principal of its St. Joseph Central Catholic Campus in Fremont, OH.

According to St. Anthony administrators, “Cullen quickly earned a reputation as a collaborative Catholic school leader that successfully merged organizational cultures and built strong constituent relationships that enabled the school community to remain accessible, successful, and sustainable,” during his time in the Bishop Hoffman system.

“Well-versed in addressing the current challenges and opportunities that face today’s Catholic educational institutions, Cullen has proven capacity and executive leadership experience in advocating and articulating the mission of the schools he has led, all while exhibiting visionary focus and missionary zeal,” said St. Anthony administrators.

In announcing Cullen to the St. Anthony School community, Fr. Bunda said “Tim is an institution building leader who is filled with the Holy Spirit, committed to his faith and loves to teach and administer in Catholic Education. While being the chief executive officer of the Bishop Hoffman Catholic School system, he worked tirelessly to integrate the latest educational models and technology into classroom instruction, while building strong constituent relationships at all levels. Most importantly he passionately embraces the ministry of Catholic education as vital to the work of our Church.”

Prior to serving the Bishop Hoffman school communities as Superintendent, Cullen was first a teacher before spending over 20 years in increasingly responsible administrative positions in various Ohio public school systems in and around the Fremont region.  Cullen holds a Bachelor of Art in Education from Bowling Green University and a Master of Art in School Administration from Azusa Pacific University.

In accepting his appointment, Cullen said, “My life journey of serving God’s call through serving others to grow closer to Him brought me to the beautiful families, outstanding school staff and supportive parish of St. Anthony School. The love of faith, the importance of family and the desire to build a great future is something we have in common and something I am very excited to be a part of with St. Anthony School. I look forward to continuing my journey as the new Head of School for St. Anthony School and ask for prayers and patience as we work together to take a great school system and build an even brighter future.”

St. Anthony administrators say the exhaustive nationwide search “bears witness that Cullen possesses the requisite skill set as the academic, spiritual, and innovative leader expected of the distinguished St. Anthony School community.”

The search was conducted by Boston, MA based Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions, a national retained search and recruiting firm devoted exclusively to developing excellence in Catholic school leadership.

Cullen assumes the position of Head of School, succeeding current Head of School, Betsey Gunderson who will be moving to an Assistant Superintendent position in the Diocese of Honolulu.  In her new capacity, Gunderson will work closely with all diocese secondary schools, including St. Anthony School.

In leading the search committee efforts, an elated Msgr. Watanabe said “With the help and guidance of Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions who provided us with a wonderful selection process, Tim emerged as the right candidate for this position of Head of School for St. Anthony.  His enthusiasm, leadership, sense of humor and deep faith was evident in our many encounters with this candidate.  Tim has a great vision for Catholic Education and that vision will continue to enrich and encourage all those who are involved with St. Anthony School to be the best that it has ever been.  Aloha and Welcome to our New Head of School, Mr. Tim Cullen!”