New superintendent for Catholic schools in diocese
Globe staff report
Posted June 27, 2002

Kevin Vickery has been appointed the new superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Sioux City. He will start this position on July 1.

"The schools in the Sioux City Diocese have such a strong foundation," he said. "It is such an exciting prospect to continue to help them with religious formation and academic growth."

A native of Sioux City, he most recently served as the superintendent and elementary school principal of Whiting Community Schools. He past administrative experience includes serving as the middle school principal at Creston Public School in Iowa as well as middle and high school principal at Clay-Central-Everly Community Schools in Royal.

His past work experience also includes teaching middle and high school in Kansas City along with teaching high school English in Sedan, Kans.

Vickery, a parishioner at St. Boniface Church in Sioux City, earned an undergraduate degree in French and international studies at Iowa State and his master's in education administration at Kansas State in Manhattan, Kans.

He is currently working toward a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies at Iowa State.

Vickery, the son of a Methodist minister, became interested in joining the Catholic Church after living with a Catholic family while he was a foreign exchange student in Europe. He acknowledged that while he was raised in a loving, faith-filled home he was drawn to the Catholic faith.

He further explored Catholicism while in college and eventually realized "that this is where I felt at home," said Vickery. His parents were supportive of his decision to become Catholic. Coincidentally, two of his five brothers and sisters have also joined the church. Vickery's sister is a principal at Holy Name School in Kansas City.

This will be his first experience in working with Catholic schools. He pointed out that he is pleased his profession and faith life no longer have to be separate.

Vickery said he looked forward to helping schools meet the state's guidelines for accreditation and hopes that his experiences with and understanding of legislative processes will be helpful.

Sister Joan Stoffel, who retired from superintendent of Catholic schools, will remain a member of the chancery staff as director of curriculum and instructional services.