Reverend Stephen Dudek, pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic parish and canonical administrator of San Juan Diego Academy, is pleased to announce the hiring of Rick Muñiz as principal.
Muñiz began his role as principal on July 1. He has 20 years of experience with Holland Public Schools, 16 of which he spent as principal. He also has eight years of experience as a counselor and assistant director for Hope College’s Upward Bound program.
"I am thankful for the momentous opportunity to serve as principal of San Juan Diego Academy,” Muñiz said. “Meeting families, faculty and staff, the pastors of our partner parishes, their parishioners, our school board and the wonderful team at the Diocese of Grand Rapids has convinced me I am joining a community dedicated to serving God and committed to the academic and spiritual growth of our college-bound K-8 Latino students."
School and parish leaders were committed to finding a candidate with the right combination of experience and commitment to lead the academy after the retirement of its previous principal, Dr. Manuel Brenes, on June 30.
“After an extensive search and hard work by the hiring committee, we’ve found the right candidate to guide our school and teach the faith to our students,” said Reverend Dudek. “We are fortunate to have Mr. Muñiz here at San Juan Diego Academy, and I know he is eager to promote our college-going culture and our students’ ‘¡Sí se puede!’ pledge to pursue higher education.”
Muñiz earned bachelor’s degrees in biology and environmental studies from Western Michigan University and a master’s in educational administration from Michigan State University. He was trained at Harvard University in multisensory approaches to art in the classroom and is a bilingual playwright with plays produced at Holland Community Theatre. Muñiz is also a public speaker on topics including diversity, motivation and college preparation. Additionally, he has served as a gubernatorial appointee to the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice.
In partnership with family, parish and the greater community, San Juan Diego Academy educates, mentors and inspires Latino children to achieve academic excellence and live their Catholic faith. More than 200 students are enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grade. San Juan Diego Academy is a ministry of six Catholic parishes in the Grand Rapids area: the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, Holy Name of Jesus, Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Joseph the Worker, St. Mary, and the Shrine of St. Francis Xavier & Our Lady of Guadalupe. Learn more about San Juan Diego Academy here.