Jones replaces current Superintendent Mary Fiala who is retiring in June
The Diocese of Youngstown has hired Steven Jones, Ph.D. as its new superintendent of Catholic Schools. Jones has spent more than 20 years in professional education at everything from middle school through university teaching and administration. Most recently, he served the past 11 years as director of St. Joseph Catholic High School in Greenville, South Carolina.
Jones was also an academic dean at St. Joseph Catholic School from 2013 to 2018. Prior to that, he was an adjunct instructor of sociology at Greenville South Carolina Technical College and associate professor of sociology at Grove City College in Pennsylvania from 2004 to 2013. He began his career as a managing director for the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture at the University of Virginia.
Jones graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Houston Baptist University. He then earned a Master of Theological Studies at the Divinity School at Duke University and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Sociology from the University of Virginia.
Jones is a husband and father of five children. He was raised in Texas, but has spent time in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North and South Carolina. He says Catholic schooling is a “must have” for the Jones family, and education is the family business. Jones says he’s eager to bring all his professional and personal energy to serving the schools in the Diocese of Youngstown.
“The schools in the Youngstown Diocese are outstanding, and I’m eager to learn more about what they’re doing to serve their students and the Church,” said Jones.“Priority one is listening and learning, so we can build an even brighter future for the diocese. Inspired by Pope Francis’ words about what a privilege it is to accompany students in their formative years, I can’t wait to get to Youngstown to see first-hand all the great things that are already happening!”
Jones will start on June 17, 2024. Current superintendent Mary Fiala, who has served the Diocese of Youngstown for more than four decades, is retiring at the end of the school year.
