Academy of Notre Dame de Namur announces next head of school
On March 1, the Board of Trustees at the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur in Villanova announced that Laura M. Hotchkiss, Ed.D, would serve as the next head of school, effective July 1.
In a letter to the Notre Dame community, board chair Anne Vazquez ‘99 wrote, “I am very pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Laura M. Hotchkiss as the next Head of the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, effective July 1, 2021.”
For the past 20 years, Hotchkiss has served on the senior leadership team of the Marlborough School in Los Angeles, currently serving as the associate head of academics and the director of
Upper School.
She has helped to guide Marlborough through strategic planning, leadership transition, fundraising efforts and the development of financial, operational and academic plans.
Hotchkiss received her bachelor’s master’s and doctorate degrees from UCLA, and she is a champion of girls education, having served on the boards of One Schoolhouse and the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools.
Following a nationwide search process in partnership with Diversified Search and including feedback from all constituents at the Academy, “it was clear that the community saw that Dr. Hotchkiss not only brings a very accomplished resume but the heart, mind, spirit, and faith to lead the Notre Dame community into the future,” Vazquez said.
“I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to serve as head of school at the Academy of Notre Dame, and my sincere thanks to Dr. Dwyer, the board, the search committee and the many members of the Notre Dame family that I had the chance to speak with as part of the interview process,” Hotchkiss said. “I look forward to starting my new role over the summer and getting to know all the incredible young women of Notre Dame.”