Bishop Richard J. Malone has appointed a new superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Buffalo. Sister Carol Cimino, SSJ, Ed.D., a national consultant, college professor and author, will be introduced on Jan. 31 at the "Making a Difference Dinner - A Celebration of Catholic Schools," which will be held at the Buffalo/Niagara Convention Center.

"This is a wonderful way to begin Catholic Schools Week," Bishop Malone said. "Sister Carol's credentials are impeccable. She brings to our Catholic schools a breadth of experience that will play an important role as we continue to focus on the faith formation and high academic achievement of our students. She has a deep commitment to the mission of Catholic schools, and knows and understands the importance of Catholic identity."

A native of Rochester, Sister Carol has presented workshops across the country on marketing, school board and council development and strategic planning. Her book, Ensuring a Future Full of Hope, has been used by parent groups and boards to assist in recruitment efforts.

Sister Carol is a national consultant with William H. Sadlier Publishers, an adjunct consultant with Catholic School Management, Inc., and has been an associate professor at Manhattan College since1990. Since 1987, she has been executive director of Catholic School Administrators Association of New York, delivering more than 1,500 workshop and training sessions all over the United States.

"The strength of our schools is their Catholic identity, and I pledge to work to maintain and enhance our Catholic identity, so that our schools will remain true gifts to the Church," Sister Carol said. "I cannot be more proud to be able to serve the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Buffalo. I look forward to strengthening these schools in partnership with pastors, principals and parents, and I believe that, in working with the community, we can bring the Catholic schools to a whole new level."

Sister Carol also served in at several Catholic schools in Rochester: she was assistant principal and director of development at Nazareth Academy, principal at St. Anthony's School and faculty member and assistant principal at St. Agnes High School. She taught Latin, economics and American government at St. Andrew's Minor Seminary (King's Preparatory).

A graduate of Nazareth College in Rochester, Sister Carol received a master's degree in American history from Syracuse University, a certificate in educational administration from the University of Rochester and a doctorate in educational leadership from St. Mary's University of Minnesota.

Sister Carol has been extensively published, authoring Come Gather Round, a manual for catechists who train elementary and secondary school students; Continuing to Ensure a Future Full of Hope, a manual for use by Catholic school groups to plan for recruitment and retention of students and Lessons Learned: 10 Tips for New Principals.

Her service includes co-director of the National Catholic Education Association's SPICE (Selected Programs for Improving Catholic Education), past president of the Empire State Society of Association Executives and the New York State Education Commissioner's Nonpublic School Advisory Council.

"I am thrilled that Sister Carol has accepted the bishop's appointment," said Carol Kostyniak, secretary for Catholic education for the diocese. "We conducted an exhaustive national search and very quickly realized that she would be well-suited as our superintendent. She brings a new energy and dedication to the mission of Catholic schools. Her extensive experience in Catholic education, from teacher to principal to national consultant, will allow her to easily continue the implementation of our strategic plan for Catholic schools, 'Faith in Tomorrow,' as we strive to grow and strengthen Catholic schools in the Diocese of Buffalo. She is a wonderful addition to our diocesan team."

Sister Carol will make a number of visits to the diocese prior to her official start date, June 1, 2013. She succeeds Dr. Rosemary Henry who resigned in September 2012 to pursue a teaching opportunity in Ecuador.

For more information on Catholic schools in the Diocese of Buffalo, visit www.wnycatholicschools.org