Dr. Steven F. Cheeseman, National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) President/CEO, is on the move—energized, unstoppable and leading with purpose. Keeping up with him feels like trying to catch an Olympic runner!
Recently, he has been recognized for his dedication to Catholic education by receiving two awards. Dr. Cheeseman was awarded the St. Katharine Drexel Award—part of the All Saints Catholic School (ASCS) Angel Benefit in the Diocese of Bridgeport—and within a few weeks, he was named an honoree at The Eighth Annual Gala Dinner at Redemptoris Mater Diocesan Missionary Seminary of Bridgeport.
Dr. Cheeseman’s roots run deep in the Diocese of Bridgeport, where he was the superintendent of schools for the diocese for seven years before coming to NCEA in August 2024. He developed and implemented a multi-million-dollar donor-funded initiative that included personalized learning for students and differentiated professional development for teachers and administrators; The Seton Collaborative: An Operational Support Network for Schools; and the Aquinas Institute for Teacher Formation to assist Catholics seeking to be teachers with obtaining appropriate degrees and credentials.
Mr. Steven Virgadamo, head of school for All Saints Catholic School, presented the St. Katharine Drexel Award to Dr. Steven F. Cheeseman in April.
Photo from All Saints Catholic School
ASCS described Dr. Cheeseman’s April honor: “St. Katharine Drexel Award—St. Katharine is the second American-born Saint. She is the Patron Saint of philanthropists. This award is given to an individual influential in providing or securing philanthropic support for ASCS.”
Keeping the Diocese of Bridgeport busy, Dr. Cheeseman and His Excellency Nicholas Demarzio, Bishop Emeritus of Brooklyn, shared the spotlight in June as award recipients at Redemptoris Mater Diocesan Missionary Seminary of Bridgeport, a missionary seminary that prepares priests for service around the globe. The Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of Bridgeport, and Very Reverend Zbigniew Kukielka, rector, presented the awards for leadership, commitment and contribution to the Church.
Venturing far and wide from Bridgeport and NCEA home base in Arlington, VA, Dr. Cheeseman has been visiting Catholic schools around the country—79, to be exact, by early June. He is on the move—visiting schools, meeting with leaders and championing the mission of Catholic education across the country. His pace reflects the passion behind strengthening faith-filled learning for the next generation. Bringing the good news of Catholic education to schools from Hawaii to New York, Arkansas to Montana and plenty in between. This tour is called Bright Lights of Catholic Education (www.NCEA.org/BrightLights) and in any given city, Dr. Cheeseman can be found reading and visiting with students, talking and listening to teachers and engaging administrators.
The Bright Lights tour is fueled by longtime NCEA corporate partner, FACTS. Thoroughly committed to Catholic schools’ financial stability and affordability, FACTS supports administrators, teachers and students.
Catch up with Dr. Cheeseman and request to become a future stop on his Bright Lights tour by filling out a form online.