About

Leadership, Faculty & Staff

    • Ms. Lauren Hill, Mr. Joshua Tranfaglia, Dr. Michael Nicholson, Dr. Jacob Conca, Dr. Stephen Dacey, Dr. Jay McGilvray, and Mr. John Guinan




Xaverian Leadership

List of 7 items.

  • Dr. Jacob Conca '94, Head of School

    Dr. Jacob Conca became Xaverian Brothers High School's first layperson Head of School in 2019. As a 1994 graduate of Xaverian and an employee at Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools since 2003, Dr. Conca has a sincere appreciation for and thorough understanding of the Xaverian mission and values. He served as Dean of Students at Xaverian from 2003-2007, Principal of Saint John's High School from 2007-2016, and Principal of Xaverian from 2016-2019 before being appointed Head of School. His background also includes extensive teaching and coaching experience.

    Dr. Conca holds a bachelor's degree from Amherst College, an M.Ed. from Providence College, and a Ph.D. from Boston College. In addition to his work at Xaverian, he serves on the Board of Trustees at Xavier High School in Connecticut and at Notre Dame Academy in Hingham. 

  • Dr. Michael Nicholson, P '29, Principal

    Dr. Michael Nicholson was appointed Principal in November 2019, after serving as Xaverian's Assistant Principal for Student Life. He came to Xaverian from Saint John's High School. There, Dr. Nicholson served as a faculty member in the Religious Studies Department, coach, campus minister, Director of Campus Ministry, and ultimately as the Assistant Principal for Student Life. 

    Dr. Nicholson holds a bachelor's degree in Theology from St. Anselm College and a master's degree in Religious Education and Catholic School Leadership from Boston College. He earned his Doctorate of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University, in addition to a certificate in Catholic School Leadership. He serves on the Board of Trustees at Saint Bernard School, another Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School that is located in Connecticut. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor at Boston College's Lynch School of Education in the Roche Center for Catholic Education.
     

  • Dr. Stephen Dacey '95, Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning

    Dr. Stephen Dacey '95 joined Xaverian in the 2003-2004 school year. Responsible for fostering a dynamic teaching and learning environment focused on the classroom and beyond, in his current role Dr. Dacey supports faculty and students in a variety of ways, including assessment of data and incorporating teacher and student feedback into Xaverian's instructional approach. He helps to identify effective models to sustain overall academic growth and excellence at Xaverian.
     
    Dr. Dacey holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Secondary Education from Stonehill College. He also holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College, as well as a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Boston College. Before Xaverian, he worked with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at Goddard Space Flight Center to improve educational use and access of NASA data applications in the classroom. He began his career teaching science at Red Cloud Indian School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. 

  • Ms. Lauren Hill, Assistant Principal for Academics, Grades 9-12

    Ms. Lauren Hill is the Assistant Principal for Academics, Grades 9-12. She holds a Bachelor of Secondary Education from Manhattan College in English, and a Master of School Leadership in Secondary Education from Worcester State. She is presently pursuing her Doctor of Education in organizational leadership from Baylor University.

    Prior to Xaverian, Ms. Hill served as an English teacher, class dean, summer programs director, and co-chair of the professional development committee at Saint John's High School in Shrewsbury. Additionally, she was influential in the process wherein Saint John’s launched a middle school program, serving as co-chair of the ad hoc subcommittee on educational model.

  • Dr. Jay McGilvray, Assistant Principal, Francis Xavier Division Grades 7 & 8

    Dr. Jay McGilvray joined Xaverian in the 2003-2004 school year. He has served as an English teacher, coach, and department chair. He was appointed to Assistant Principal for Grades 7 and 8 (FXD) in May 2013. Dr. McGilvray served as the varsity golf coach for 10 years at Xaverian, the freshman baseball coach for four years, and the Department Chair of the English Department.

    Before joining the faculty at Xaverian, Dr. McGilvray taught middle school in Arlington and Danvers. He holds an undergraduate degree from Elon University, a Master of Educational Administration from Boston College, and a Doctor of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership as well as a Catholic School Leadership certificate from Creighton University. 

  • Mr. Joshua Tranfaglia, Assistant Principal for Student Life

    Mr. Joshua Tranfaglia joined Xaverian as a social studies faculty member in 2014, and from 2014-2019 taught in the Francis Xavier Division (FXD) and coached golf, basketball, and baseball at both the FXD and high school levels. He became the Assistant Principal for Student Life in 2019. Prior to Xaverian, Mr. Tranfaglia taught social studies and religion at St. Michael School in Fall River.

    Mr. Tranfaglia has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Secondary Education from Providence College. He completed the Providence Alliance for Catholic Teachers program out of Providence College, which prepares teachers for life in Catholic education. 

  • Mr. John Guinan, Dean of Students

    Mr. John Guinan joined Xaverian in 2022. He previously served at Xavier High School in Middletown, CT, a fellow Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School. At Xavier, he co-chaired the committee that led the school through the Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools Mission Effectiveness assessment process. 

    Mr. Guinan earned his bachelor’s degree from Assumption University and his master’s degree from Boston College. He also studied in Europe and Central America. He holds a graduate certificate in Catholic School Leadership from Creighton University and also serves as an adjunct professor in the Department of Philosophy at Sacred Heart University.

Faculty & Staff Directory

  • Photo of Laura Sarkar
    Mrs. Laura Sarkar
    Admissions Assistant
    York University - B.A.
  • Photo of Heather Schnabel
    Ms. Heather Schnabel
    Digital Marketing Coordinator
    Brandeis University - M.S.
    University of New Haven - B.S.
  • Photo of Catherine Sciortino
    Ms. Catherine Sciortino
    St. Joseph's University - B.S.
    Providence College - M.Ed
    Bio
     
    Ms. Catherine Sciortino joined the Xaverian faculty in 2020 as a member of the science department. Prior to her time at Xaverian, she taught at St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, RI as a member of the PACT program. She received her Bachelor of Science in biology from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, PA in 2017 and her Master of Education from Providence College in 2020.
  • Photo of Andrew Sgro
    Mr. Andrew Sgro
    Boston College - M.Ed.
    Boston College - B.A.
    Bio
     
    Mr. Andrew Sgro joined Xaverian in the 2015-2016 school year. Prior to Xaverian, Mr. Sgro taught English at Needham High School, where he was also the student council advisor. He is a graduate of Boston College with a bachelor's degree in English and a master’s degree in English education. Mr. Sgro is the coach of the varsity volleyball team. 
  • Photo of Elizabeth Shatas
    Mrs. Elizabeth Shatas
    Middlebury College - M.A.
    Providence College - B.A.
    Bio
     
    Ms. Elizabeth Shatas joined the Xaverian faculty in the 2008-2009 school year. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Providence College and a Master of Arts from Middlebury College. Prior to coming to Xaverian, she studied in Guadalajara, Mexico and Salamanca, Spain. Ms. Shatas serves as the co-moderator of the ski and snowboard club and Hawk News. 
  • Photo of Michael Shippie
    Mr. Michael Shippie
    University of Notre Dame - M.Ed.
    Boston College - B.A.
    Middlebury College - M.A.
    Bio
     
    Mr. Michael Shippie joined the Xaverian faculty in the 2016-2017 school year. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Studies and History from Boston College, a Master of Education from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master of Arts in Spanish Language  from Middlebury College. He has completed graduate coursework in French in Québec, Canada, and in Spanish in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Prior to coming to Xaverian, he taught Spanish at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, AL. Mr. Shippie has traveled with students to Mexico, Ecuador, Italy, France, and Spain, and currently serves as the moderator of the international culture club. 
  • Photo of Joseph Sotelo
    Mr. Joseph Sotelo
    Arizona State - B.A.
    Boston College - M.Ed.
    Boston College - M.A.
    Bio
     
    Mr. Joseph Sotelo joined the theology faculty in the 2009-2010 school year. Previously, he taught theology and served as a director of religious education in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies. He earned a joint Master of Education from Boston College Lynch School of Education and School of Theology and Ministry. He has also earned a Master of Arts in Theology from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. He holds licensure in education administration from the Massachusetts Department of Education. Besides teaching, Mr. Sotelo serves as moderator for the Xaverian car club.
  • Photo of Stephen Steinbergher
    Mr. Stephen Steinbergher
    School Counselor
    Cambridge College - M.Ed.
    Boston College - C.A.E.S
    Miami University - B.S.
  • Photo of Jennifer Sullivan
    Mrs. Jennifer Sullivan
    Academic Center for Enrichment Coordinator
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - M.Ed.
    Emory University - B.A.
    Bio
     
    Jennifer holds a M.Ed. in School Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Emory University.  Prior to joining Xaverian, Jennifer was a school counselor in the Holliston and Peabody Public School Systems, the Interim Director of Student Services at Beaver Country Day and an internship coordinator at The Education Cooperative.  She has held positions as a Section 504 Coordinator, IEP Service Provider and teacher support team facilitator.  Jennifer is currently pursuing a Certificate in Learning Differences and Neurodiversity with a Specialization in Executive Function through Landmark College. Jennifer is the mother of four teenage boys.
  • Mr. Michael Sylvia

Contact Us

List of 13 members.

  • Photo of Ann Alsfeld

    Mrs. Ann Alsfeld 

    Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives
  • Photo of James Conley

    Mr. James Conley 

    Director of Campus Ministry
  • Photo of Edward Currle

    Mr. Edward Currle 

    Director of Athletics
  • Photo of Bryan Finley

    Mr. Bryan Finley 

    Director of Facilities
  • Photo of Michaela Fitzpatrick

    Ms. Michaela Fitzpatrick 

    Director of Counseling
  • Photo of Carolyn Herman

    Dr. Carolyn Herman 

    Director of Staff Formation
  • Photo of Katie Hickey

    Ms. Katie Hickey 

    Director of Strategic Communications
  • Photo of Kyle MacDonald

    Mr. Kyle MacDonald 

    Director of Admissions
  • Photo of Anif McDonald

    Mr. Anif McDonald 

    Director of Community, Culture, and Equity
  • Photo of Barbara Messina

    Mrs. Barbara Messina 

    Director of Finance and Operations
  • Photo of Daniel Tucker

    Mr. Daniel Tucker 

    Director of the Ruth Kennedy Library
  • Photo of Christopher Vasta

    Dr. Christopher Vasta 

    Chief Administrator for School Advancement
  • Photo of Gregg Whitaker

    Mr. Gregg Whitaker 

    Director of Technology

Xaverian Brothers High School

800 Clapboardtree Street
Westwood, MA 02090
Phone: 781-326-6392
Fax: 781-320-0458
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EIN (Tax ID Number): 04-2314036 
Xaverian is a Catholic, college-preparatory school for boys in grades 7-12. As an inclusive community, we embrace diverse experiences and perspectives, welcoming students and families from all faiths and backgrounds. Through exceptional academics, athletics, the arts, faith formation, and service opportunities, we help young men discover their unique gifts and talents so they can share them with a world in need.