GUERIN PREP HIGH SCHOOL NAMES JANET COBB PRESIDENT
New leader brings many years of educational experience

RIVER GROVE, ILL. – Oct. 1, 2010 – A former high school teacher with more than 20 years of educational experience in Catholic schools and parishes as a librarian, campus minister, development director, religious education coordinator and school board president will become the fifth president of Guerin College Preparatory High School.

The Board of Directors of Guerin Prep and the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., the school’s religious sponsor, jointly selected Janet Cobb as president. She was introduced to students, faculty and staff Oct. 1, during the annual celebration of the school’s patron—St. Mother Theodore Guerin, the foundress of the Sisters of Providence.  

Cobb, most recently the director of development for St. Andrew Parish, Chicago, assumes her leadership role at Guerin Prep Oct.1. Cobb replaces Terry John Malik who retired as Guerin Prep’s president in June after 2 ½ years in that position.

“My passion for and understanding of Catholic education, coupled with my experience in strategic  planning and development, uniquely prepare me for the position of president at Guerin Prep,” Cobb said.

“We have every confidence that Janet's energy and enthusiasm for the mission of Guerin College Prep will be contagious,” said Sister Marie McCarthy, general officer of the Sisters of Providence and liaison to the school who served on the search committee that recommended Cobb to the Board of Directors.  “The richness and variety of her experience make her an ideal president for this time in the life of the school.”

In announcing the appointment, Sharon McFadden, chairperson of the Board of Directors, called Cobb an outstanding selection.  “We are excited to welcome Janet as president.  She is a multi-talented leader from the field of education who will serve as an inspiration to our Guerin and local communities.  The board members look forward to working with her in achieving Guerin Prep's goals and aspirations for the future.” 

Cobb holds a master’s in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, Chicago.  She earned a bachelor of arts in English Literature and Linguistics in 1990 and post-graduate certification in secondary education from the University of Hong Kong in 1991.  She lived and worked in Asia for seven years and became fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin.

During this time, Cobb was the chairperson of the English Department at Immaculate Heart of Mary and served as the Director of Religious Education for several parish sites serving the needs of the ex-patriot community.

Cobb came to the Chicago area in 1994, where she served first as campus minister at Good Counsel High School, and then teacher at St. Gregory High School and Morgan Park High Ministry Center.

In 2000 she relocated to Richmond, California and served as the head librarian for Salesian High School until her return to Chicago in 2007.  As part of her responsibilities, she created a technology plan as part of the school-wide strategic plan.  Also during this time, she served as the president of the school board for St. Paul Elementary School and was instrumental in developing a comprehensive strategic plan for the school.

At St. Andrew’s Parish, Cobb was involved in preparing the parish for a capital campaign to expand the elementary school.

“I have always been a person of vision when it comes to Catholic education and what is needed for students to be successful,” Cobb said.  “I have already fallen in love with Guerin Prep through this search process, now I want to make Guerin Prep contagious.”

As president, Cobb is considered the overall leader and facilitator of the community of faith.  Her specific responsibilities include advancement, fiscal management, constituent relations, enrollment management activities and serving as a liaison between the school and the board of directors. Tony Tinerella, Guerin Prep’s principal, will retain responsibility for day-to-day operation of the school, including all areas of academic and student affairs.

Cobb lives with her husband and three children live in Chicago.