Convent of the Visitation School in Mendota Heights has named Rene Gavic head of school effective July 1, 2016. She replaces Dawn Nichols, who will retire at the end of the school year after serving for 16 years as head of school.
Gavic began her career at Visitation in 1987 as coach of the track and field teams, adding cross country in 1989. She joined the faculty as a math teacher in 1990, then became dean of students for the Upper School in 2002, with that position expanding to director of student life. Last year, she became director of the Upper School.
“I am deeply honored and extremely thrilled to have been selected to lead Visitation,” Gavic said in a Dec. 9 statement. “I feel tremendously blessed to be a part of this amazing community and I look forward to leading this great school for many years to come.”
Sister Mary Denise Villaume, a Visitation alumna, superior of the Visitation Monastery and a member of both the school’s Board of Trustees and the search committee, said, “Visitation combines an extraordinary history with a clear vision for the future, and Rene will be instrumental in leading our school in a very competitive landscape and changing world.”