Dr. Neil Cronin President of Cristo Rey Research Triangle High School
Durham, NC — (April 2, 2024) — It gives us immense pleasure to announce that Dr. Neil Cronin has been appointed as the President and CEO of Cristo Rey Research Triangle High School, effective April 15, 2024.
Following an extensive national search, Dr. Cronin stood out as an exceptional candidate. Known for his exemplary service as Cristo Rey’s Founding Principal, Dr. Cronin brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to serving students of limited economic means. He is dedicated to changing the trajectory of their lives and the lives of their families for generations to come.
In his new role, Dr. Cronin will lead an exceptional team of educators who are passionately dedicated to providing students from families with limited financial options with a high-quality education that prepares them for college and beyond. We are proud to share that ninety-three percent of Cristo Rey’s students nationally are not only accepted into but enrolled in four-year colleges. The college graduation rate for Cristo Rey students is three times that of their peers from similar economic backgrounds.
Dr. Cronin’s remarkable journey includes serving as the Principal of Nativity Miguel School of Scranton (PA) and as Vice President at Wyoming Seminary School (Kingston, PA). He earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership from Penn State University and holds academic credentials, including a master’s degree from California University and a bachelor’s degree from Connecticut College.
As the Chair of the Board of Directors, Mark Baric aptly put it,
“The Board of Directors is thrilled to have a leader of Dr. Cronin’s caliber assume the role of President and CEO. He is deeply committed to our mission of providing quality education to students of economic need and diversity. We are excited to see the impact his leadership will have on our students, the broader Research Triangle community, and our esteemed Corporate Work Study Partners.”
On behalf of the Cristo Rey Research Triangle High School community, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Board of Directors for their continued support and unwavering confidence. We are honored and excited to embrace this new chapter under Dr. Cronin’s leadership. Together, with our dedicated faculty, staff, parents, students, and corporate partners, we have the power to transform lives and make a lasting impact on our community.
About Cristo Rey Research Triangle High School
Cristo Rey Research Triangle is an affordable Catholic Jesuit high school located on the American Tobacco Campus in Durham, North Carolina. The school welcomed its inaugural freshman class in 2021. It currently serves 210 students with a plan to grow its enrollment to 400.
Cristo Rey Research Triangle’s mission is to deliver a college and professional career preparatory education for students with limited economic resources. CRRT provides a unique educational experience by integrating rigorous academic curricula with four years of real-world professional work experience. The school’s Corporate Work-Study Partners include some of the top employers in the Triangle area.
Cristo Rey Research Triangle is part of the Cristo Rey Network, a nationwide network of schools utilizing an innovative educational model that integrates rigorous academics with professional work experience. It is the largest educational organization in the U.S., serving youth exclusively from families with limited economic means. The Cristo Rey Network is comprised of 39 schools in 24 states, including the District of Columbia.