Starting the 2025-2026 school year, Carol Ann Michaelson ‘89 will become principal of Xavier College Preparatory.
Xavier was established in 1943 as a part of the Jesuit fathers of St. Francis Xavier Parish and the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The school administration has been composed of nuns since then, and Michaelson will be a non-sister principal.
In the selection of a new principal, Xavier works with the Diocese of Phoenix, the superintendent of schools, the Office of Education and ultimately with trusted members of the Xavier community.
Michaelson started her time at Xavier as a student in 1985 and completed her Xavier education as a part of the class of 1989. She then received a master’s degree in educational administration in 1993.
She came back to Xavier in October of 1994 and currently serves as the director of student records as well as a freshman student council moderator. In the past, she has also been a theology teacher, member of the admissions committee and scorekeeper at Xavier athletic events. Being an Xavier alumna gives her a unique perspective, allowing her to understand student life from firsthand experience.
As director of student records, Michaelson also connects with students when coordinating schedules and with members of the freshman student council as a moderator. “I now have the joy of working with students who are the children of girls that I taught in the mid 90s!” she exclaimed.
She will celebrate 30 years with Xavier College Preparatory this fall.
Sister Joan Fitzgerald BVM, president of Xavier, stated, “One of her major strengths is that she works intricately with the students in their selection of their courses and best understands the curriculum here.”
“In preparation for this role, I have been meeting with Sister Joan who has a wealth of knowledge on all things Xavier and has years of experience as a principal. In fact, she was the principal of Xavier when I was a student, as well as when I started working here,” Michaelson said.
Prior to Michaelson, Sister Joanie Nuckols BVM served as principal beginning in 2016. Nuckols devoted over 43 years to Xavier from being a teacher to eventually principal.
From 1974, Nuckols helped develop the school into what it is today, incorporating Rio Salado College classes for students. She also improved life at Xavier in the everyday community with her enthusiasm and dedication.
Due to her health, Nuckols moved to Iowa and officially stepped down from her role at Xavier in May of 2024. In her place, Brittany Ecker filled the role as interim principal, assisting the Xavier community this past year.
Ecker helped advise in day-to-day affairs and oversaw the faculty. As a previous teacher in the theology department, Ecker had a connection to her students and teachers, allowing her to fill the role for Xavier.
Nuckols and Ecker have left impacts on the Xavier community that will continue with Michaelson. Recently, Founders Hall, originally built in 2012, was dedicated to Nuckols and was renamed Nuckols Founders Hall.
Sister Lynn Winsor BVM, vice principal of activities and athletics director, expressed, “Similarly to Michaelson, Sister Joanie was kind of famous for showing up at everything. She would show up to basketball, go to soccer, go to the plays, build connections with the students.”
Winsor expressed that during Nuckols’ time at Xavier she carried out the spirit of Xavier and was the exact kind of person who should be the principal, taking care of everybody.”
Fitzgerald served as Xavier’s principal from 1974 to 2016, before becoming president. She explained how lucky the community was to have Michaelson available for this position because she knows the spirit and mission of this school.
“I look forward to working with and supporting our incredible faculty, students and the wider Xavier community in this new capacity. Serving and accompanying our students on their high school journeys are both an honor and a responsibility that I am excited to continue,” Michaelson said.
