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Announcing Cristo Rey's New President

Announcing Cristo Rey's New President

Cristo Rey Philadelphia announced the appointment of Tom Shoemaker as the school's next President.

CRISTO REY PHILADELPHIA HIGH SCHOOL NAMES TD BANK VETERAN THOMAS SHOEMAKER AS NEW PRESIDENT

PHILADELPHIA (Nov. 15, 2021) – Scott Belveal, Board of Trustees Chair of Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School, today announced the appointment of Thomas Shoemaker as the school’s next president. Shoemaker, a member of the Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School Board of Trustees since 2019 and current President of TD Bank's Pennsylvania Market, will step into this position in March 2022. He succeeds long-time Cristo Rey Philadelphia Founder and President John McConnell who will step down after 10 years.

Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School is a college preparatory, Catholic school for students of all faiths. Cristo Rey serves students, grades 9-12, from families in underserved communities.

“I feel incredibly honored to lead this school,” said Shoemaker. “I am humbled to inherit the mantle of work forged by Founder and President John McConnell after over a decade of commitment and service, and I am privileged to continue guiding Cristo Rey as we deliver on our promise of educational equity. I am grateful to my fellow Trustees for their confidence in me, and I look forward to working with the outstanding administrative team, faculty, and Cristo Rey community of work-study partners, donors, volunteers and families to provide the foundational, life-changing educational experience that every student needs and deserves.” 

Throughout his time at TD Bank, Shoemaker has worked closely with Cristo Rey students through the school’s signature Work-Study Program – where each student works one day per week at a Cristo Rey corporate partner, earning real wages that offset the student’s cost of education.

“Leading Cristo Rey has been the highlight of my professional career, and I am excited about the future of the school.” said McConnell. “Tom’s commitment to our students, our community, and our faculty and staff is unparalleled. Tom has been advocating for our students for years, through his work on Cristo Rey’s Board and at TD Bank. Our future will be bright with Tom’s leadership and guidance.”

Shoemaker’s term will begin in March 2022, the end of the 10th academic school year. During that time, McConnell led the campaign and construction of a new $42 million campus in the Tioga section of North Philadelphia, secured more than 100 corporate partners, and laid the foundation for the school’s continued success. Since its inception, 100% of Cristo Rey graduates have been accepted to college.

A Delaware County native, Shoemaker is a graduate of Susquehanna University. He received his MBA from Villanova University. Currently, he resides in Garnet Valley with his wife, Joanie, and five children.