Kevin Kijewski named Superintendent of Catholic Schools

Kevin Kijewski, J.D. has been appointed Superintendent for Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Detroit, effective Dec. 4. With the approval of Archbishop Allen Vigneron, Kijewski (pronounced “kiev-ski”) has been hired in this important role leading the Office of Catholic Schools within the Department of Evangelization, Catechesis, and Schools.“It is with joy that we welcome Kevin Kijewski to serve as our new Superintendent for Catholic Schools,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “In meeting him, he impressed me as a man of great capability, and I am delighted that we in the Archdiocese have this new coworker in the vineyard, as our schools continue to be places where joyful missionary disciples are formed.”Kijewski, 35, currently serves as Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Denver. Previously, he served as Associate Superintendent for Secondary Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Before going to Philadelphia, Kijewski resided in Grosse Pointe, where he served as a dean of a business school and practiced law as an alternative dispute resolution attorney.Kijewski said he is looking forward to returning to his hometown to help grow the Catholic school system in the archdiocese.“Catholic schools are the premier teaching center for the Church,” he said, adding that “growth, innovation, and leadership” will be the three levers of his tenure. "I want to work with our stakeholders in Detroit to create a model that’s going to make our Catholic schools sustainable, affordable, academically excellent, and help kids get to heaven." Upon his arrival in December, Kijewski will join the archdiocese’s department of Evangelization, Catechesis, and Schools, reporting to director Fr. Stephen Pullis.“I am very excited that Kevin Kijewski has accepted the position as Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Detroit,” Fr. Pullis said. “I am confident that with his leadership, our Office of Catholic Schools will be able to take up the work of leading and assisting our schools in implementing the archbishop’s pastoral letter, Unleash the Gospel. This is a great opportunity for us all to renew our prayers and support for the teachers, administrators, and archdiocesan leaders who are committed to making our Catholic schools excellent at educating the whole person and, most importantly, making disciples of Jesus Christ.” Kijewski holds a Bachelor of Arts in History, summa cum laude, from the University of Detroit Mercy, a Master of Arts in Economics from Walsh College, a Master of Education from the University of Notre Dame and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Michigan State University. Prior to positions in educational administration and law practice, Kijewski taught high school social science at Bishop Machebeuf High School in Denver as a University of Notre Dame Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) Teaching Fellow from 2005-2007. His redesigned social science instructional approach made Bishop Machebeuf a top twenty national school in social science education for two consecutive years on the Catholic High School Honor Roll.