St. John Paul II Catholic High School (JPII) Principal Dr. Jeremiah Russell has been named associate superintendent for Catholic schools of the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama. He will continue to lead the high school until taking on his new role full-time at the end of the current school year. 

Notifying JPII families of the move, Russell said, “It has been an honor to lead our school community and strive to provide a quality, Christ-centered education.” He thanked parents for their partnership and trust over the past six years and recognized the school’s administration, faculty, and staff for their dedication and inspiration. “JPII will continue to excel in its mission to ‘encourage, challenge, and support our students to learn enthusiastically, lead honorably, and live responsibly,’” Russell added.

The associate superintendent role is focused on ensuring healthy, sustainable schools through supporting principals throughout the diocese, leading continuous improvement processes for the Catholic Schools Office (CSO), and assisting the superintendent of Catholic schools. 

Margaret Dubose, superintendent of Catholic schools, said, “Dr. Russell’s skills in strategic planning, his vision and passion for Catholic education, and his abilities in mentoring and support fit perfectly with the role of associate superintendent and within the work of the Catholic Schools Office.” Further, she noted, “His familiarity with our schools’ initiatives and understanding of the needs within our diocese will enable him to contribute significantly to the ongoing efforts of the CSO.”

Russell holds a bachelor’s degree from Boyce College in Louisville, Kentucky, master’s degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Baylor University and Marymount University, and a doctoral degree from Louisiana State University. 

Russell is a lay Dominican of the St. Cecilia Chapter in Nashville and prior to his conversion to Catholicism in 2007, he was an ordained Protestant minister. He and his wife, Ashleigh, have two children and live in Decatur. In addition to his role at JPII, Russell has served as principal at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School in Anniston, and has taught at the University of Alabama Huntsville, Jacksonville State University, the University of Virginia, and Louisiana State University. 

A search will begin soon to find the next leader for St. John Paul II Catholic High School.