Presenters
​Foundational Retreat 
July 18 -20, 2017 | Cohort 17 | The Connors Conference Center, Dover, MA

Patricia A. Weitzel-O'Neil, Ph.D.

​Patricia Weitzel-O'Neill, Ph. D., is the Executive Director of the Barbara and Patrick Roche Center for Catholic Education, Lynch School of Education, Boston College. She is responsible for the work of the Center, focusing on research, professional development, and advocacy, both locally and nationally.  In particular, she serves on the leadership team for the Two-Way Immersion Network for Catholic Schools (TWIN-CS), and actively supports the work of this unique national program. 

Dr. Weitzel-O’Neill is a co-author with Dr. Hosffman Ospino of the report Catholic Schools in an Increasingly Hispanic Church (2016), based on the first National Survey of Catholic Schools Serving Hispanic families.  Also, she is a co-editor of the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools (2102) (NSBECS) and with co-editor Dr. Lorraine Ozar, Loyola University Chicago, continues the work focusing on research and new resources. Most recently Dr. Weitzel-O’Neill with her colleague Dr. Ospino hosted the first ever National Summit on Catholic Schools and Hispanic Families, inviting 200 recognized thought leaders to engage in two days of focused conversations examining the critical challenges. As an advocate, she serves on multiple boards, including the Governing Board for the Journal of Catholic Education and is frequently invited to present at national and local conferences. Prior to Boston College, Dr. Weitzel-O'Neill served as Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Washington, and served Trinity Washington University as Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. She is a graduate of Wheeling Jesuit University and holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Sociology from St. Louis University.

Ronny O'Dwyer, SJ

Father Ronald R. O’Dwyer, S.J. is a clinical faculty member in the Institute for Catholic Education at St. Louis University and director of the Billiken Teacher Corps (BTC). The BTC places talented college graduates as teachers in underserved Catholic schools for two years. During that time, these individuals earn a graduate degree in education with full tuition remission. The BTC members live together in an intentional faith community focused on spiritual and personal formation in the Catholic, Jesuit tradition. Ordained to the priesthood in 2015, Father O’Dwyer holds graduate degrees in Philosophy and Catholic School Leadership and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from Boston College. He has served as a Theology instructor and director of student activities at De Smet Jesuit High School, St. Louis, Missouri, where he received an excellence in teaching award. Most recently he served as assistant pastor of St. Peter Claver Parish, Punta Gorda, Belize, which oversees operations for over thirty village churches and rural Catholic elementary schools.
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Kristin Barstow Melley

Kristin Barstow Melley is the Director for Professional Development for the Roche Center for Catholic Education. She develops professional learning opportunities for Catholic educational leaders working in PK-12 schools. Her current projects include the Two-Way Immersion Network for Catholic Schools (TWIN-CS) and the Emmaus Series: A Leadership Advancement Program for Catholic School Leaders. Kristin presents nationally on Faculty and Student Faith Formation, Catholic Identity, Managing School Change, School Board Development, Marketing Catholic Schools and Whole-school Teacher Collaboration. She is a contributor to the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools implementation resources. She serves as liaison for the Catholic School Office of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Lynch School of Education at Boston College. Formerly, Kristin served as Associate Superintendent of Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Worcester and as the Director of the National Catholic Center for Student Aspirations at Assumption College. She was a high school teacher of history, art history, literature, and writing, and a soccer and basketball coach. She taught world religions, ethics, and writing at Endicott College. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College in Norton, MA and a Masters in Theology from Harvard University.
Adam Krueckeberg
​Adam Krueckeberg is the Program Director for Boston College's Strategic Planning Initiative, and has been working with BC’s Roche Center for Catholic Education for the past five years.  He holds Master’s degrees in Business and Pastoral Ministry from Boston College, did his undergraduate work in Religion at Princeton University, and is currently pursing a Doctorate in Higher Education.  Prior to transitioning into education, Adam worked in the technology and finance sectors for fourteen years, most recently as a Vice President with Fidelity Investments in Boston.