Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph Catholic Schools welcomes new Superintendent

Karen Kroh, Ed.D., replaces Dan Peters, Ed.D., upon his retirement after more than a decade with KCSJ Catholic Schools

Karen Kroh, Ed.D.

The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph welcomes Dr. Karen Kroh as superintendent of Catholic diocesan and parish schools following a national search. Kroh will step into the role as the diocese bids farewell to Dr. Dan Peters, who will retire after 15 years in Catholic education and more than a decade as superintendent of KCSJ Catholic schools. 

"Dr. Kroh immediately stood out to us as an ideal candidate to lead our diocesan and parish schools with her experience, reputation and strong commitment to the Catholic faith and the mission of Catholic Schools," said Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. "We are eager for Karen to join our team and know that she will have a positive and lasting impact on the students, families, teachers and staff across the diocese."

Kroh brings more than 25 years of experience in all levels of education from early-childhood through college, and a consistent record of achievement in positions of leadership, instruction, curriculum, faith formation, special education and professional development. She has earned a bachelor's degree in family and child development as well as a master's degree in special education, both from Auburn University. Karen has also received an English as a New Language endorsement from Notre Dame and a Doctorate in School Leadership from St. Louis University.

"The selection committee was immediately impressed with Karen's commitment to Catholic education, her strong faith and the great energy she will bring to the role," said Jodi Briggs, principal at St. Michael the Archangel High School, and a member of the selection committee chosen to evaluate the candidates for KCSJ Catholic Schools superintendent. "She has earned great respect from the communities that she has served through her work and leadership and presents herself as a strong servant leader."

Kroh most recently served in the role of associate superintendent for student services in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas Office of Catholic Schools, which she has held since 2004. Kroh's experience includes more than a decade as adjunct faculty member at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. She is also published in the Journal of Catholic Education.
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Kroh is honored to be chosen as KCSJ Schools superintendent, saying "Working with Catholic schools and leaders in the Archdiocese of Kansas City and other Catholic school superintendents and leaders across the country has allowed me to develop a holistic vision of the critical role Catholic schools play for our students, families and our Church."

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About KCSJ Catholic Schools
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph are rooted in Gospel values and the teaching mission of the Church. Working in a partnership with our communities, the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph schools will be distinctly Catholic, academically excellent and fiscally stable. The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph proudly celebrates Catholic education in 40 schools serving more than 12,000 students from early childhood through high school. While we take understandable pride in the academic excellence of our schools, it is their Catholic identity and the commitment of Catholic families to a Catholic education which underscores our pride and success. For more than 179 years, our schools have served communities across the Diocese. catholicschoolsystem.net

​About the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph was established in 1956 when the Dioceses of Kansas City (founded in 1880) and St. Joseph (founded in 1868) were combined. Led by Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr., the Diocese is home to nearly 124,000 Catholics in 87 parishes and 10 missions across 27 counties in northern and western Missouri. Under the guidance of Bishop Johnston, the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph continues its mission to announce the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to live and serve in charity in northern and western Missouri. kcsjcatholic.org