Mrs. Courtney Kassakhian
Subsequent to a national search which attracted nearly 40 qualified candidates, Dr. Richard Gray, President of La Salle High School, has appointed Mrs. Courtney Kassakhian as the School’s 15th principal. Mrs. Kassakhian will begin her duties on July 1, 2016. She succeeds Brother Christopher Brady, FSC, who is retiring as Principal.
Mrs. Kassakhian brings 15 years of professional elementary and secondary school experience including two years as Principal of Incarnation Elementary School in Glendale.
A native Angelino, Mrs. Kassakhian earned her B.A. at the University of Southern California, a Single Subject Credential (English) from the California State University (Los Angeles) and an M.A. in Catholic School Administration from Loyola Marymount University. Her career as a Catholic school educator included service in a variety of administrative capacities from Director of Admissions to Vice-Principal for Instruction to Principal. Mrs. Kassakhian is particularly experienced in supporting the professional development of faculty and, in addition to taking responsibility for the WCEA/WASC accreditation process in two schools, she has led the implementation of a 1:1 technology program and managed summer programs at the high school level. In addition to her administrative duties, Mrs. Kassakhian is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
In making the announcement, School President, Dr. Richard Gray, said, “Mrs. Kassakhian brings a proven record of educational leadership, a keen grasp of the challenges currently facing principals of Catholic secondary schools and a zealous passion for the students entrusted to her care. I am particularly pleased that Mrs. Kassakhian received high marks from every constituent group that interviewed her.”
In accepting the position, Ms. Kassakhian noted: “I am honored and thrilled to have been chosen as the next principal of La Salle High School and I look forward to being part of this outstanding school community that has enabled students to learn, serve and lead for 60 years.”
Dr. Gray thanks Morris & Berger, Executive Search Consultants and Dr. Vera Vignes and Sister Angela Hallahan, Co-Chairs of the Search Committee for their management of the successful search process that led to Mrs. Kassakhian’s appointment as Principal.
La Salle High School, 3880 East Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 351-8951 or visit www.lasallehs.org.
