St. Mary’s Ryken is thrilled to announce that Dr. Cathy Bowes has been named the new school principal effective July 1. Dr. Bowes comes to SMR with over 18 years of school leadership experience across a wide range of settings, including STEM magnet schools, career/technology, and performing/visual arts for high-performing schools in the Baltimore County area. She is also a St. Mary’s Academy alumna from the Class of 1981. Dr. Bowes will replace Dr. Rick Wood, who will become school president effective July 1.
“It is my great honor to join the St. Mary’s Ryken community as their next principal,” said Dr. Cathy Bowes. “Together with Dr. Rick Wood and our talented, committed leadership team, I look forward to providing visionary, mission-focused leadership for St. Mary’s Ryken’s 4th decade. This mission, to provide academic excellence and individualized student growth in a community of faith and diversity in the Xaverian tradition, will continue to prepare students who are able to think and problem-solve, communicate and collaborate in highly effective ways, and lead and serve with compassion, humility, simplicity, trust, and zeal. I look forward to getting to work!” states Dr. Bowes.
Dr. Bowes earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Georgetown University and her master’s degree in administration and supervision from Johns Hopkins University. She has a secondary education teacher certification in English from Towson University. She earned her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Indiana University.
Dr. Bowes began her career at Old Court Middle School (Baltimore County) as an English teacher. She continued in the Baltimore County school system as a teacher mentor, then assistant principal for two magnet schools and most recently for Eastern Technical High School, a College Board Capstone and Newsweek “Beating the Odds” school with a student body of 1,200. She has a proven track record of helping increasing AP and SAT test scores. Her expertise lies in staff development, supervision of instruction, student programming and data-driven school improvement.
“Dr. Bowes joins our school community with a wealth of knowledge about student-centered instruction and preparation of students for college,” said Dr. Rick Wood. “It’s an exciting time for her to join our team because the STEM classrooms and Innovation Labs in the Paschal Hall MIL Wing will be complete this summer. I am confident that Dr. Bowes will help to continue the rich history of academic excellence and strong faculty and student relationships at St. Mary’s Ryken.”
“On behalf of the SMR Board of Directors, I am delighted that Dr. Bowes has been selected as the new Principal of St. Mary’s Ryken,” said President Mary Joy Hurlburt. “Dr. Bowes’ tremendous qualifications, and connection to our school as an alumna make her the perfect leader to follow in Dr. Wood’s footsteps as he transitions as our next school president.”
