Courtesy photo New Holy Name Principal Michelle Brief, second from left, is pictured with her fmaily: husband Keith, beagle Maximus and son Hunter.

ESCANABA — Michelle Brief of Menominee has been appointed principal at Holy Name Catholic School in Escanaba. She took over the role on July 29.

Former principal Nathan Vande Hey recently moved into a role in Illinois as director of advancement at Chesterton Academy of the Holy Family in Lisle. Escanaba’s Holy Name High School is also part of the network that is Chesterton Academy.

Brief holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s in early childhood. She taught elementary school for 19 years, mostly public, but her last five years as a teacher were at St. Thomas Aquinas Academy, which has campuses in Pashto and Marinette. She moved into administration by becoming the principal at St. Thomas, and briefly served as principal for both the St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School in Peshtigo and the Catholic academy’s middle and high school in Marinette.

In Escanaba, Brief will oversee faculty and staff at Holy Name, make policy decisions, assist in strategic planning, and “spend time with the teachers, staff, students, families and the many supporters who have all helped Holy Name thrive,” according to a press release written by Victoria LaFave.

“I am so thankful and blessed to start this new chapter of my life here at Holy Name Catholic School. …It is evident that this school has positively impacted generations of local families,” Brief said. “I am looking forward to working with the staff and helping build the next chapter at Holy Name. We are aiming to ensure that Holy Name continues to be a proud beacon of quality Catholic education in the central U.P.”

She intends to build classical education, including expanding Latin into the elementary school. Band and choir will be newly available at Holy Name this year.

Brief met with most of the staff about a week ago, “and they were absolutely fantastic. They’re so welcoming,” she said.

To further her expertise and ideally better serve the school, Brief is currently attending Educate-WI through St. Mary’s University in Minnesota to obtain her principal licensure, which she said helps with strategic planning, school safety, school improvement plans and more.

“It just gives you so much knowledge and resources so that you can help your staff succeed and you can help the students succeed,” Brief said about the program.

Holy Name’s Pastoral Designate, Father Timothy Ferguson of St. Joseph and St. Patrick’s Parish, said that he is looking forward to working with Brief. “Michelle brings to this position an impressive resume, a great deal of educational experience and a new perspective to Holy Name,” Ferguson said. “Her passion for the school will make her an asset through this time of transition. She has a strong Catholic faith and exceptional communication skills, and her leadership abilities will be crucial in empowering staff members and connecting them with students and their families.”

Brief said she plans to make the 45-minute commute from her family’s home north of Menominee most days, but may occasionally shorten the drive by staying some nights in Cornell, where her parents reside.