June 6, 2024
NCEA Board of Directors Appoints Steven Cheeseman, Ed.D., as New President and CEO of NCEA
Most Reverend Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., Archbishop of Atlanta and Chair of the Board of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has appointed Dr. Steven Cheeseman, Ed.D. as the next President/CEO of NCEA, effective August 1, 2024. Dr. Cheeseman replaces Mr. Lincoln Snyder who resigned from his position earlier this week in order to pursue other educational opportunities.
Cheeseman has served as the Superintendent of Schools in the Diocese of Bridgeport, CT since 2016 and in the past year has also served as the Interim Executive Director of the Seton Collaborative in the same diocese. Prior to his tenure in Connecticut, Dr. Cheeseman was Associate Superintendent of Schools in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, NY and a teacher/administrator at both the elementary and secondary levels. He has also been an Adjunct Professor at St. Joseph College in Patchogue, NY and from 2009 to the present has been an Adjunct Professor at Fordham University Graduate School of Education. Early in his career he was involved in various capacities in parish Faith Formation and Youth Ministry.
Known widely as a faith-filled, passionate, innovative and entrepreneurial leader, Dr. Cheeseman has accomplished a great deal in his current diocesan role and is well-positioned to lead NCEA into the future with a clear vision that is mission-driven. As a strong communicator, strategic planner and collaborative colleague, he will assist NCEA staff in their roles in service to the Catholic school community in the United States.
Some of the hallmarks of his superintendency include: developing and implementing Transforming the Paradigm, a multi-million dollar donor funded initiative that focuses on personalized learning for students, as well as, differentiated professional development for teachers and administrators; leading the transition of a diocesan elementary school into a classical Catholic academy and supporting other school models within the diocese; mentoring boards as they transitioned their governance models; creating The Seton Collaborative: An Operational Support Network for schools; and creating, implementing and securing donor funding for the Aquinas Institute for Teacher Formation to assist Catholics who seek to be teachers with obtaining appropriate degrees and credentials.
Holding NY State Certification as a School District Administrator and a teacher, Dr. Cheeseman earned a BA, MA, and Professional Diploma prior to earning a Doctorate in Education Leadership & Technology in 2004 from Dowling College in Oakdale, NY.
Dr. Cheeseman has received numerous educational awards and recently received the Benemerenti Medal which is a Pontifical Honor. He and his wife, Danielle, have three adult children.
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In service of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, NCEA strengthens Catholic school communities by convening all stakeholders and providing professional development, data, public policy and resources to support faith and intellectual formation.