Gordon Tech College Prep, a Catholic high school on Chicago’s North Side, has appointed James Quaid as its new principal and chief academic officer. A respected academic and instructional leader, Quaid is currently the headmaster of Marmion Academy in Aurora.

In October of 2012, DePaul University and Gordon Tech announced an academic collaboration to provide a strong school-of-choice on the North Side. Through the collaboration, Gordon Tech has continued to grow enrollment and has developed a strategic plan that focuses on enhancing the school’s curriculum, college counseling, technology and facilities to match other Chicago-area top-tier Catholic high schools. The collaboration brings university-wide resources to a Catholic high school.

Quaid will meet with faculty, staff and students during his first months on the job to learn more about the school’s alliance with DePaul, its recent achievements and its challenges. “I am eager to begin work with the extraordinary team DePaul and Gordon have assembled to advance a range of priorities, from enhancing faculty teaching, facility improvements and supporting a student-centered educational experience,” said Quaid.

“An advocate of urban, Catholic education”

The Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, C.M., president of DePaul, said, “With his vast experience in Catholic education, including serving as the principal of Fenwick High School just a few years ago, Jim Quaid is perfect to lead Gordon. He is an advocate of urban, Catholic education and will be a key player in maximizing opportunities for Gordon’s students.”

A search committee unanimously recommended Quaid’s appointment. The committee was led by Gordon board chair and DePaul trustee Dia S. Weil and vice-chair and DePaul trustee Mary Dempsey, as well as Gordon’s president, Kelly M. Jones, and additional board members.

“With the hiring of Jim Quaid, we just took a giant step toward our goal of becoming an even stronger school-of-choice in Chicago,” said Weil.

Prior to leading Marmion, Quaid served as associate superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Previously, he was principal of Fenwick High School in Oak Park.

Quaid, who will report to Jones, will supervise all academic departments, professional development, guidance and college counseling departments. In addition, he will supervise campus ministry, extracurricular and athletic programs, and he will serve as a member of the Gordon-DePaul planning team.

Quaid holds bachelor’s degrees in history and philosophy from Benedictine University, a master’s degree in history from Purdue University, a master’s degree in education from Loyola University and a doctorate in educational leadership, foundations and counseling from Loyola. He earned additional certifications, including a non-profit management endorsement from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.