Two principal hires announced

By The Catholic Week
MOBILE — The Archdiocese of Mobile Office of Catholic Schools announced two principal hires for the 2023-24 school year. Andrea Williamson has been named the next principal of St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope and Deborah Ollis has been named the next principal of Little Flower Catholic School in Mobile.
Williamson has served as Assistant Principal for Student Life at John Paul II Catholic School in Ridgeland, S.C., since 2015. Ollis has served as principal at St. Mary Catholic School in Mobile since July 2001. She will complete the 2022-23 school year at St. Mary before moving to Little Flower. 
In being named principal at St. Michael, Williamson said “I have been blessed with the vocation of teaching in Catholic schools and I am honored to be chosen to take on the role of principal at St. Michael Catholic High School. Saint John Paul II told the young people of America to ‘listen to His voice. Do not be afraid. Open up your hearts to Christ.’ I remember hearing these words, from then-Pope John Paul II, as a young student in Catholic school challenging me to listen to His voice and this challenge has stayed with me ever since. 
She added, “I too try to challenge students to not be afraid, to listen to His voice, to become the person that God wants us to be and with St. Michael by our side we will continue a culture centered in Christ where students live out the challenge to become saints. I am looking forward to joining the Catholic school community in Baldwin County and I am excited to be in a community that clearly supports Catholic education.”
Williamson has more than 20 years of education experience. She began her career as a social studies teacher with Fairbanks North Star Borough Schools in Fairbanks, Alaska, from 2001-09.
Williamson’s husband, John, is a retired member of the U.S. Army, and they have a 12-year-old daughter, Anna.
Along with serving in Catholic schools, Williamson is a product of Catholic education. She graduated from Lake Catholic High School in Mentor, Ohio, then earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri and an education specialist degree from St. Leo University in Florida. 
Williamson is also a doctoral student at St. Leo and is expected to graduate in June 2023.
In all, Ollis has more than 40 years of experience in Catholic education. Her first teaching assignment was at Little Flower. 
Ollis is also a product of Catholic education. She graduated from McGill-Toolen Catholic High School and received a bachelor’s degree from Spring Hill College. Ollis also received a second bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of South Alabama. 
A search for St. Mary Catholic School’s next principal is ongoing.