Suzanne Dorsey Heidel, principal of Ursuline Academy, N.O.

Suzanne Dorsey Heidel ’85 returned to Ursuline Academy three years ago as dean of students following 17 years of service at the Academy of the Sacred Heart. 

Starting in the 2022-23 school year, she will serve as principal for kindergarten through 12th grade students at Ursuline. Nearly all of her 27 years of Catholic education experience has been in all-girls’ schools. 

Heidel earned a master’s of theology from Notre Dame Seminary and her undergraduate degree in English literature from Louisiana State University. She recently completed a certificate in school management and leadership through a joint program of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Harvard Business School. 

Heidel has interest in “Design Thinking” for educators and innovation in schools, completing training with 4.0 Schools, Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum and Leadership + Design. She served on the Ursuline Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Task Force with a focus on student life.

“What a joy to serve my alma mater,” Heidel said. “It is a gift and awesome responsibility. In the fall, we will welcome our 300th graduating class of Ursuline Academy New Orleans. Our world needs confident, compassionate and innovative leaders. Those are the qualities of our foundress, St. Angela Merici, and our mission and core values provide our students with the tools they need to make ‘herstory.’

“Ultimately, our work aims to be certain that every Ursuline girl knows the truth that she is loved by God and has gifts that only she can share with our world. The administration supports a remarkably talented and loyal faculty and staff who help our students discover those gifts and who celebrate each person on campus as a unique individual. It is an extraordinary experience to be part of the first girls’ school in the United States and know that we are a part of an international network of over 100 Ursuline schools following the path of the courageous St. Angela Merici.”