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WASHINGTON (June 13, 2001) -- Michelle L. Doyle has been named Associate Director of the U.S. Catholic Conference (USCC) Office for Government Liaison to be responsible for education concerns of the bishops.
Ms. Doyle currently is director of the Office of Non-Public Education , U.S. Department of Education. She succeeds Patrick Canan, who is retiring after 14 years in the position.
The appointment was announced June 13 by Frank Monahan, director of the USCC Office of Government Liaison, and becomes effective July 16, 2001.
"Michelle comes to the Conference with a very impressive background in Catholic education and government," Monahan said. "She is a veteran Catholic educator with 18 years' experience as a teacher, principal, and diocesan assistant superintendent. For the past nine years she has worked to promote the interests of non-public education within the federal government. For eight of those years she was the director of the Office of Non-Public Education. Michelle is well-known and universally respected within the Catholic school community, as well as within the larger private school world.
"Michelle is well-versed in federal education law and policy and she is likely one of the best informed persons in the country about private and religious school education," Monahan added. "I cannot think of anyone who would be better qualified for this job and to succeed Pat Canan."
Ms. Doyle holds a master's degree in educational administration from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She has pursued additional course work at The Catholic University of America, Dayton University and the University of Virginia. She became director of the U.S. government's Office of Non-Public Education in 1993, after one year as education program specialist in that office. Prior to that Ms. Doyle was Assistant Superintendent of Schools in the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, 1986-1992. Before that she taught in Catholic schools in Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Ms. Doyle is married and mother of three children.