Patricia Weitzel-O'Neill, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Patricia Weitzel O'Neill joined the Roche Center for Catholic Education after serving as superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Washington and the former vice presidents for academic affairs at Trinity Washington University in Washington, DC.

As superintendent of schools in the Archdiocese of Washington, Weitzel-O'Neill was responsible for 29,000 students in 96 early learning, elementary and secondary schools. During her eight-year tenure, she was credited with strengthening the schools' academic programs, introducing a standards-based curriculum and enhancing professional development standards. In addition, she was instrumental in efforts to secure the DC opportunity Scholarship Program, a federal initiative that enabled thousands of very low-income children to attend parochial schools.

Prior to serving as superintendent, Weitzel-O'Neill worked with Trinity Washington University as vice president of academic affairs, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and associate professor of sociology. She is a graduate of Wheeling Jesuit University, and holds an MA and a Ph.D. in sociology from St. Louis University. 
Email: weitzelo@bc.edu

Theresa R. Alden
Administrative Assistant
Terri joined the Lynch School of Education in 2005. In her role with the Center, she coordinates the preparation, organization, and follow up of various Center activities.  Terri holds a bachelor's degree from Boston College.
Email: theresa.alden.1@bc.edu

Michael Bennett
Managing Editor, Catholic Education: A Journal of Inquiry and Practice
Michael comes to the journal with over twenty years of experience researching and writing for a variety of governmental, private and non-profit organizations.  Most recently, Michael served as Policy Analyst for the Boston based Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy where he served as principal investigator on studies of teacher preparation and evaluation, dropout prevention and college and career readiness.  Michael graduated with a B.A. in History and Sociology from West Virginia University and a M.A. in American Studies from the University of Notre Dame.  He has two school-aged children and recently stepped down as Chair of the Board of KidsArts!, a community-based arts program in Jamaica Plain, MA.
Email: michael.bennett@bc.edu

Carrie Fuller
Doctoral Student
Carrie is a doctoral student in the Curriculum and Instruction Program at Boston College and serves as the research assistant for Joseph O’Keefe, S.J., Dean of the Lynch School of Education. Her academic and research interests include teacher preparation and professional development as well as school reform in an international and comparative perspective, educational opportunities for Latin American students, and urban education. Previously, Carrie taught for two years in Catholic elementary schools and worked for five and a half years as a religion teacher in Catholic high schools. She also spent a year and a half in Bolivia where she taught in two rural Fe y Alegria schools. Carrie graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in American Studies and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School in 2003.
Email: fullercb@bc.edu

William Hurley
Associate Director for Curriculum
Bill comes to the Center for Catholic Education with more than 25 years of educational administrative experience as a principal and superintendent, and several years of teaching educators at the post masters level. After his retirement as Superintendent in Sudbury, Bill consulted to school systems on the topics of leadership and team building. He also mentored principals in several school districts. Bill received his master's in counseling psychology and CAES in Educational Leadership from Boston College. Bill and his wife Carol are the  parents of Dan (BC '99) and Caitlin (BC '03), who is now a third-year medical student at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester.
Email: william.hurley.1@bc.edu

Michael James, Ph.D.
Fellow
Michael James brings more than 25 years experience in teaching, research, administration, and international educational consulting and development to his current position as a Fellow at the Boston College Roche Center for Catholic Education.  Prior to his appointment at Boston College, Michael served as the Vice President for research and professional development with the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in Washington, DC, and as a Senior Officer and Dean of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Mount Marty College, Yankton, SD.  In addition he has held a variety of university student-service administrative positions in admissions, financial aid and residence life at both Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame.  Michael James is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame where he studied Theology and Psychology.  He earned his MA and Ph.D. in philosophy of education, and educational policy studies and higher education administration from the Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. Currently Michael is Director of the Institute for Administrators in Catholic Higher Education and a faculty member in the Boston College graduate program of Higher Education Administration where he also coordinates the concentration in Catholic University Leadership.  He is Chief-Editor of the research journal, Catholic Education: a Journal of Inquiry and Practice and co-editor for the academic journal, Claritas: A Journal of Culture and Dialogue.  Michael lectures internationally on topics including: educational leadership; institutional mission and strategic planning; religion, education and culture; and, educational development and moral identity.  Dr. James is the most recent recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Scholarship Award bestowed by the national Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators.  Michael is the lead author of Education’s Highest Aim: Teaching and Learning Through a Spirituality of Communion.  2010. New City Press: Hyde Park, NY.
Email: michael.james.1@bc.edu

Adam Krueckeberg
Graduate Student, Business and Theology
Adam is a graduate student at Boston College studying for an MBA from the Carroll School of Management as well as an MA in Pastoral Ministry from the School of Theology and Ministry.  Prior to returning to school, Adam spent almost 15 years working in the business world, most of which focused on using information technology and process analysis tools to measure and improve organizational outcomes.  His current interest lies in improving the mission effectiveness and long-term sustainability of Church ministries, particularly Catholic K-12 education, through excellence in operational, financial and management processes.  Adam received a bachelor's degree in Religion from Princeton University in 1995.
Email: adam.krueckeberg@bc.edu

Kristin Melley
Associate Director for Professional Development
Kristin joined the Roche Center in the fall of 2011 and brings 13 years of education experience, as both a classroom teacher and administrator, to her position. For 6 years she served as the director of a national center for Catholic schools and students. She is passionate about serving the mission of Catholic schools and empowering Catholic school leaders to excel in the many roles they hold. Kristin holds a bachelor's degree from Wheaton College in Norton, MA and a masters in theology from Harvard University.
Email: kristin.melley@bc.edu

Julie Olson
Graduate Student
Julie is a Graduate Assistant at the Roche Center for Catholic Education. This is her second year with the Center, assisting with educational research and the Roche Center’s projects and programs.  She is in her second year of the Lynch School of Education Master’s Curriculum and Instruction program. Before coming to Boston College, she attended Providence College, graduating in 2006 with an undergraduate degree in Humanities.
Email: olsonju@bc.edu

Meghan Scheffler
Interim Director, Urban Catholic Teacher Corps
Meghan, currently the interim director for the Urban Catholic Teacher Corps of Boston College and the Archdiocese of Boston, has been with the Roche Center since June of 2007. In addition to mentoring the UCTC teachers and working with participating schools, she also coordinates several educational programs, including the Stand Up, Speak Out student leadership conference for middle school students, and supports the success of all Roche Center events. She graduated from Boston College in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in history.
Email: meghan.scheffler.1@bc.edu

Elizabeth Twomey, Ed.D.
Fellow
Prior to joining the Center as a Fellow, Betty was a professor in the Educational Administration program at the Lynch School and was coordinator of the Professional School Administrator Program. She previously served as Commissioner of Education in New Hampshire and has an expertise in relationships between boards and administrations, the role of the principal, the role of the superintendent, and the role of leadership in education reform. She has been honored with distinguished educator awards from Emmanuel College, Phi Delta Kappan, the New England Association of School Superintendents, and the New Hampshire School Boards Association; has received the New Hampshire Women in Educational Leadership Award; and, has received the Champion for Children Award from the New Hampshire Administrators’ Association.
Email: twomeye@bc.edu