About Damien » Leadership

Leadership

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Welcome to Damien High School, I am happy that you have found us and hope you will find information about who we are as Damien Spartans on this website. Damien High School is celebrating over 60 years as an all-boys Catholic high school and continue to grow and thrive as we serve our local community following in the footsteps of St. Damien of Moloka'i and our founding religious order, The Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

As an alumnus of the Class of 1986, I can speak directly to the life lessons your son will receive here at Damien. Damien is an all-boys college preparatory school rooted in the foundations of the Catholic faith. Through our rigorous academics and extracurricular programs, your sons will become "men of Service, Scholarship, and Faith, prepared to engage a dynamic global society." We are proud of our college placement with 98% of all Damien graduates attending colleges, and 28% of these students attend out-of-state schools.  

Damien men often speak of the Spartan Brotherhood we share — a brotherhood that extends from the first graduating class to our incoming freshmen. A unique brotherhood that is formed in a learning environment that supports the individual and each person’s development academically, spiritually, and in leadership. Together, Spartans are called to support one another, support our local communities, develop faith through prayer and service and aspire to become the best person they are called by God to be as men of “Service, Scholarship and faith.”
 
If becoming a Damien Spartan has piqued your interest, I invite you to visit our campus here on Damien Ave. to get a first-hand experience to the culture and academic environment we have worked tirelessly to build for our community for over 60 years.
 
I look forward to meeting you!
 
St. Damien — Pray for Us!
 
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Joseph Siegmund, '86, PhD
President 
 
 
admin staff
Led by the President, the leadership team is charged with overseeing the academic, co-curricular, and spiritual integrity of the school. In partnership with staff, faculty, and parents, we execute the strategic initiatives set by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and our Consultative Board.
The President is the chief administrator of the school in collaboration with the Principal and bears responsibility for the school’s operation and policies, concentrating primarily on its Catholicity, vision, mission and philosophy, finances, development and fund-raising efforts, care of the physical facilities, marketing, public information and maintenance of positive relations with pastors, parents, other schools, and the civic community. 
 
Year started at Damien: 2020
Total years in Catholic Education: 5
Other jobs held at Damien: None
Professional Background: University Professor at International American University, MBA Program Chair at International American University, Vice President, R&D Design Engineer / HVAC Control Systems
Degrees/Credentials: Bachelor of Business Administration, American InterContinental University; Master of Business Administration, Saint Leo University; Doctor of Business Administration, Northcentral University
The Principal serves as our school's educational leader. The Principal is responsible for exercising sound judgment in the implementation of a broad array of programs and functions. The Principal bears responsibility for the school’s operation and policies, Catholicity, curriculum, co-curricular activities, discipline, personnel practices, public information and maintenance of positive relations with pastors, parents, other schools, and the civic community. 
 
Year started at Damien: 2004-2017; 2020-Present
Total years in Catholic Education: 20
Other jobs held at Damien: Director of Communications, Summer School Coordinator, Dean of Curriculum, and Social Science faculty 
Professional Background: Vice Principal at Bishop Mora Salesian High School in Los Angeles
Degrees/Credentials: Bachelor of Arts, Brown University; Master of Arts in Catholic School Administration & Doctor in Educational Leadership for Social Justice, Loyola Marymount University
The Vice Principal reports directly to the Principal and is responsible for all areas of school operation in the Principal’s absence. The prime responsibility is to assist the Principal in providing and implementing an appropriate program of studies and curriculum policies for the student body. The Vice Principal is also responsible for the fulfillment of various other administrative and organizational functions. 
 
Year started at Damien: 1982-1998; 2012-Present
Total years in Catholic Education: 31
Other jobs held at Damien: Activities Director; Assistant Principal
Professional Background: 11 years as a Project Manager in K12 student information systems
Degrees/Credentials: Bachelor of Arts, Occidental College; Master of Arts, California State University, San Bernardino
The Dean of Faculty is the overall supervisor of the teachers in the school. He works with the Department Chairs in moving forward the professionalism of the teaching staff.
 
Year started at Damien: 1996
Total years in Catholic Education: 28
Other jobs held at Damien: Dean of Faculty, CSF/NHS Coordinator
Professional Background (other relevant jobs): Has served at Damien for entirety of career
Degrees/Credentials: Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics, UC Santa Barbara; Masters of Business Administration, Cal Poly Pomona; California Teaching Credential - Mathematics
Provide leadership for the curriculum development of the school and encourage implementation of the latest teaching methodologies within the mission and philosophy of Damien High School.
 
Year started at Damien: 2003
Total years in Catholic Education: 30 
Other jobs held at Damien: Science Department Chair, Drama Production Coordinator, Co-Activities Director, STEP Counselor 
Professional Background: Science Teacher at St. Lucy's Priory High School from 1994-2000, Project Engineer for a general contractor 2002-2003, Head / Assistant Track and Field and Cross Country Coach for St. Lucy's from 1995-2015
Degrees/Credentials: Bachelor of Arts, UC San Diego; Master of Public Administration, University of La Verne
Provides leadership and performs all necessary functions related to the collection, interpretation, and use of institutional data for planning, assessment, and decision  making. Facilitates access to information maintained in the school’s administrative / student information system to support college operations and monitor key institutional indicators, ensuring the integrity of data/information released in reports or studies, and providing data analysis, reporting, or research as needed to support institutional objectives.
 
Year started at Damien: 2003
Total years in Catholic Education: 22
Other jobs held at Damien: Director of I.T., Computer Science faculty
Professional Background (other relevant jobs): Has served at Damien for entirety of career
Degrees/Credentials: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Cal Poly Pomona; Master of Arts in Educational Studies, University of Phoenix
The Director of Advancement is responsible for expanding the private sector development department. Primary duties include all aspects of fund development, including cultivation and donor follow-up, drafting grant proposals, reports, and correspondence to donors; and conducting prospect research on individuals, foundations, and corporations.
 
Year started at Damien: 2021
Total years in Catholic Education: 4
Other jobs held at Damien: None
Professional Background: Director of Development in the Social Service sector for 6+ years and development consultant to several organizations and foundations
Degrees/Credentials: Bachelor of Arts & Master of Business Administration, Azusa Pacific University
The Athletic Director is responsible for all athletics, both interscholastic and intramural that occur both on and off campus.
 
Year started at Damien: 2004
Total years in Catholic Education: 21
Other jobs held at Damien: Mathematics faculty, Activities Director, Dean of Students, Baseball coach
Professional Background: Has served at Damien for entirety of career
Degrees/Credentials: Bachelor of Arts, University of Redlands; Master of Arts in Education, Loyola Marymount University