Previous Communications 

Please take a moment to review our previous communications regarding the Head of School search. They provide important context and updates as we move forward in this critical process.
 

Head of School Search Update: September 3, 2025
 

Head of School Search Update: August 6, 2025

 

Search Committee Members 

The Head of School Search Committee represents the voices of our community and will lead this process with care and transparency. Learn more about the members of the committee below.
 

Richard “Dick” P. Dahling, Trustee, Class of ’77, retired mid-2021 as Vice President for the Workplace Investing Division of Fidelity Investments, the nation’s largest provider of defined contribution record-keeping services. Based in New York City, Dick served as an advisor on investment-related matters to senior executives of corporations who serve as fiduciaries for their organizations’ defined contributions retirement plans. He joined Fidelity in December of 1997. Dick graduated from University Liggett School in 1977 and went on to complete undergraduate (BA) and graduate (MBA) studies at Trinity College in Hartford, CT and The Darden School at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA, respectively. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) professional designations. Dick served on the ULS Board of Trustees from 2018 to 2024, during which he chaired the Investment Committee throughout his entire term. He rejoined the board in 2025 and once again serves as Chair of the Investment Committee.

Jennifer Dickey, Parent Association President, is an Associate Mechanical Engineer and Licensed Professional Engineer at SmithGroup in Detroit, where she specializes in the design of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for higher education and corporate facilities. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan–Dearborn. Jennifer currently serves as President of the University Liggett School Parents Association and has led numerous volunteer initiatives within the school community.

Kristen A. Feemster-Kim, MD, MPH, MSPHR, Trustee, Class of ‘91, is Director of Research for the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Her areas of expertise are: Epidemiology of vaccine preventable diseases with a focus on community and social factors; Global and domestic vaccine policy; Vaccine hesitancy; and Ambulatory healthcare associated respiratory infection and surveillance Dr. Feemster received her MD and an MPH in Population and Family Health from Columbia University Schools of Medicine and Public Health in New York City. She completed pediatric residency at CHOP then pursued a dual fellowship training program in health services research and pediatric infectious diseases; she was a fellow in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Clinical Scholars Program at Penn, completing a Master of Science degree in Health Policy Research then returned to CHOP for pediatric infectious diseases training. She joined the faculty in 2010. Kristen joined the board in 2021.

Maureen Juip, Trustee, holds a BSE in Chemical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Michigan. After working for a number of years at BASF, she paused her work in the business world to raise a family of five children here in Grosse Pointe with her husband, Randy. Her family includes two children who suffer from Friedreich’s Ataxia, a rare degenerative neuromuscular disease. Maureen offers her services as a parent advocate for that organization and raises money for research and awareness. Maureen joined the Board of Trustees in 2023 and serves as chair of the Committee on Trustees. She has also served on the Buildings & Grounds Committee, Community Engagement & Belonging Ad Hoc Committee, and was Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. She currently chairs the 2025-26 Head of School Search Committee.

Gretchen Knoell Higbie, Trustee, Board President, is a partner with Lake Street Capital, a venture capital and private equity firm focused primarily on the technology and business service industries, which she founded in 2003. She received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration. Gretchen served on the University Liggett School Board of Trustees from 2010-2016 and sat on the Investment and Finance Committees. She returned to the board in 2019, served as Chair of the Finance Committee, and has served as President of the Board since July 2024.

Erin Martin, Trustee, is Chief of Staff and General Counsel for Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. With extensive knowledge in employment and franchise law, Martin’s leadership helps to protect the business interests of Little Caesars, the third-largest pizza chain in the world. She joined Little Caesars in 2007 as counsel and held positions with increasing responsibility before she was named the top legal officer in the company in 2015 and leader of the business support teams in 2017. She was appointed chief of staff in 2021. Erin earned a BA in political science from Michigan State University in 1997, a JD from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 2001. She resides in Grosse Pointe Farms and has two children at University Liggett School. Erin joined the Board of Trustees in 2024.

Shernaz Minwalla, Employee Representative, serves as the Assistant Head of School and Head of Upper School at University Liggett School, where she is entering her 25th year of service. Over the years, she has held several key roles, including Assistant Head of Upper School and Dean of Student Life, Director of the Academic Research Program, Upper School Science Coordinator, and Upper School Science Teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and English Literature from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Science Education from Wayne State University.

Phill Moss, Employee Representative, is the senior faculty member at University Liggett School beginning his 41st year of service. He serves as the Department Chair for the Creative and Performing Arts Department. He received a BFA in theater performance, an MFA in theater direction, and a Doctorate in Art Education, all at Wayne State University.

Nicholas Noecker, Trustee, Board Treasurer, Class of ’85, is President of International Extrusions, Inc., the fastest-growing Midwest aluminum extrusion company. Nick is a Trustee of The Music Hall in Detroit and a Board Member of the Aluminum Extruders Council, advancing trade agendas for the aluminum industry. He is also active with and serves on the board of the Detroit Tradesmen Rugby Football Club. A graduate of University Liggett School, Nick earned his BBA from Emory University and his MBA from the University of North Carolina. Nick joined the Board of Trustees in 2022 and currently serves as Chair of the Finance Committee.

Tony Smith, Trustee, Board Secretary, has 30 years’ experience as an entrepreneur and investor, having previously founded The Malachi Group and as the founder and current president of Neptune Global LLC. A graduate of Morehouse College, Tony is the proud parent of a current ULS student and a ULS graduate. Tony is a current member of the Strategic Planning Committee and volunteers with the Music Conservatory of Westchester. He is on the finance committee and is Chairman of the Block Committee for St. Aloysius Church. Tony joined the Board of trustees in 2020 and currently serves as Secretary of the Board.