In 25 years of service to Catholic schools in our diocese, Dr. Mike Riley has had many roles: teacher, assistant principal, principal, associate superintendent.
He takes those experiences with him to his new role as superintendent of Catholic schools. On May 1, Riley took over for Interim Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Bigelow.
“My time as a teacher – remembering, knowing what it takes – allows me to have that lens when I’m thinking about policies and procedures to make [our office] accessible to principals and teachers, as opposed to making it a barrier to success,” said Riley. “By being in those positions in the past, it makes it easier for me to understand what it’s like.”
A native of Hampton Roads, Riley began his career as a middle social studies and language arts teacher. He later served as principal at Charlottesville Catholic from 2012-2022. He earned a doctorate degree in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership from William & Mary in 2021, and served as associate superintendent of school operations for the diocese from 2022 until he was named superintendent.
Riley said that Catholic schools in our diocese benefit from a system-based approach, which includes the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools and collaboration with other diocesan offices.
“The systems approach … is a huge advantage,” said Riley. “You have partner schools. The Office of Catholic Schools works with other departments in the Pastoral Center to ensure schools’ success. We have tools for success – it really offers an opportunity for growth.”
That said, Riley said he understands that each school has an individual culture.
“The experience of working more closely with each of our 23 diocesan schools [as associate superintendent] has given me a little more insight into how each community interacts with our diocesan mission, but is also true to their own community,” he said.
“As the Office of Catholic Schools, we want to make sure we understand each of our schools. While we’re one unit, we’re vastly individual,” he continued. “Two years of working with each of them has taught me that.”
As superintendent, Riley’s duties include supporting schools when they have needs and working with other offices in the Pastoral Center in Richmond to make the system work.
For example, annual school fiscal budgets are due to the Office of Finance Sept. 3, and accounting books are due monthly. “I’m making sure principals are getting that to the Office of Finance,” said Riley.
“I’ll continue working with the Office of Development, working towards getting tax credit programs and general donations to afford Catholic education,” he continued. “I’ll be working with other departments throughout the Pastoral Center, as efficiently as possible, to make sure schools have the resources they need.”
One example of a tax credit program for donations is the McMahon Parater Scholarship Foundation, which is approved by the Virginia Department of Education to receive donations through the Virginia Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits program. Individuals or business donors receive a 65% tax credit for donations that provide scholarships for students from low-income families to attend schools in the diocese.
It’s one among many areas in which Riley sees an opportunity for growth.
“How do we get better with our marketing and enrollment? How do we get better with fundraising and endowments?” he said. “We want to be sure that any student that wants a quality Catholic education has that opportunity. That is the thing I hope to have an impact on – that students are coming, and endowments are there for them.”
Those opportunities, said Riley, can be realized through the systems-based approach.
“The goal is to have strategic planning that uses research-based methodology to advance our schools,” he said.
Challenges facing the diocese, said Riley, include the large geographic area that the diocese covers and the national teacher shortage.
“We are so widespread: from Bristol all the way to Sandbridge,” he said. “The second big challenge for us right now is finding creative ways to keep teachers’ salaries competitive.”
In a video message he recorded welcoming students, teachers and parents to the 2024-2025 school year, Riley reaffirmed his dedication to his charge.
“I am deeply committed to our mission of nurturing faith-filled, academically excellent students,” said Riley.
“As we move forward into this new academic year, let us do so with a spirit of hope and optimism,” he continued. “Together, we will continue to foster an environment of faith, learning, and love. I look forward to working closely with each of you to ensure that the school year is filled with growth, success and blessings.”
Read about new associate superintendent Jim Grillo.
Read about new Catholic High School principal Tal Covington.
Read about new Roanoke Catholic principal Megan Potter.