Appointment of Richard J. Hensel, to the position of Principal

Utica— Notre Dame Schools is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard J. Hensel, to the position of principal of Notre Dame Junior-Senior High School,

effective July 1, 2024. Hensel currently serves as Associate Principal and was previously a member of the faculty assigned to the English department. He is the first alumnus of Notre Dame Junior-Senior High School to be appointed principal.

Hensel, a graduate of Notre Dame’s Class of 2013, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a concentration in Adolescent Education and a minor in Advanced Writing from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, where he went on to obtain a Master of Science in Adolescent Education. He furthered his education at Canisius College in Buffalo where he earned a Certificate of Advanced Study in Education Administration. He holds New York State Certification in both English Language Arts Grades 7-12 as well as School Building Leadership. 

For Hensel, being able to serve the school he loves is “humbling” and “a privilege.”  

“My parents worked so hard to send my brother and I to Notre Dame because they recognized the importance of a quality, faith-based, and value-centered education. I am forever grateful to them for doing everything they could to give us that gift. It truly changed my life."

Hensel is proud of Notre Dame’s tradition of faith, service, and academic excellence and credits the dedicated faculty and staff of Notre Dame for his own academic success. "I know we will continue to have an impact on students in the Mohawk Valley for generations to come."