From Bishop Guilfoyle Academy
Bishop Guilfoyle Academy has announced the appointment of Dr. Robert Gildea as Chief Education Officer (CEO) for BG’s PreK through Grade 12 school system. In this role, Dr. Gildea will lead all aspects of the Bishop Guilfoyle Academy school and student experience. He will replace Mrs. Joan Donnelly who recently announced her intention to retire at the end of the current school year. Dr. Gildea’s appointment is effective for the 2025-26 academic year.
“We are confident we have found a leader who is a good match with BG’s environment and education,” expressed Joseph Adams, BG President. “Our innovative, mission-driven environment provides a perfect opportunity for Dr. Gildea to continue to create and deliver state-of-the-art, excellent, and highly personal educational experiences for each student, PreK through Grade 12.”
Dr. Gildea brings decades of expertise in all facets of education, including experience as a teacher and administrator. He began his career as an elementary school teacher and rose to become an elementary school principal, then school district superintendent in the Hollidaysburg Area School District. Currently, he is the Lower Dauphin School District’s superintendent.
“Dr. Gildea’s extensive background will serve him well at Bishop Guilfoyle Academy as we strive to deliver a world-class student experience that results in highly successful, confident, and happy young people,” stated Adams.
“Possibly the most compelling part of Dr. Gildea’s background that makes him a great fit for this role is his long-standing and unwavering commitment to the mission of education. It is a calling for him. Relationships have always been at the heart of what has motivated Dr. Gildea, and this makes for a perfect fit with the “BG family.” Dr. Gildea’s background in strong public-school systems, deep local roots, and positive personal relationships will help him bring a great perspective and quickly fit right in.”
Dr. Gildea states that he is looking forward to this new experience. “The position of CEO at Bishop Guilfoyle Academy gives me the opportunity to work for the institution that helped develop the religious, moral and ethical foundation that has carried me through life. I have always respected the mission of Bishop Guilfoyle Academy and look forward to joining the team of people who make BG a great place to develop the future leaders of our community.”
In his role at BG, Dr. Gildea will lead all aspects of the school experience. BG’s teaching and learning systems are designed to deliver highly personalized learning where all students learn and succeed. BG leverages technology to free teachers to build authentic relationships with students, challenging them, and helping them grow. Adams states, “Bob’s extensive experience at high-achieving institutions, combined with BG’s opportunity to innovate as a team, will serve the BG families well.”
Joseph Stevens III, President of the BG Board of Trustees, commended Donnelly for her exceptional dedication to the school over the past 45 years. “Joan has been an important school leader, always driving to higher standards. She was instrumental in successfully achieving key milestones, including BG’s transition to an independent Catholic school in 2008, becoming a PreK through Grade 12 system in 2022, and rebranding the school as Bishop Guilfoyle Academy in 2024. She is a rare educator who grew from a teacher to administrator to true leader,” Stevens said.
Donnelly’s expertise in curriculum development led to numerous new programs and innovations at BG over the years. She introduced an advanced Pre-AP program for accelerated 7th and 8th -grade students, the College in High School program, an innovative Senior Practicum Experience, and most recently the enhanced PreK through Grade 12 curriculum.
Donnelly will work closely with Dr. Gildea during the transitional period, which will begin this summer and culminate in Dr. Gildea’s full-time status as Chief Education Officer for the 2025-26 academic year.
