D
edicated Founders Lead into the Future
President and Head of School, Victoria Kennedy
As President and Head of School, Mrs. Kennedy oversees strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, business operations, and a facility expansion. As a founder of the school, Mrs. Kennedy has actively participated in the school’s leadership since its inception serving as President of the Board of Directors. Mrs. Kennedy received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wheaton College, IL . For fifteen years she worked for CASCAP, Incorporated, a non-profit human service organization based in Cambridge, MA. She spent ten years as CASCAP’s Director of Operations. In this role, she managed CASCAP’s business and program operations including real estate acquisition and rehabilitation, property management, and community-based residential support services for frail elder and psychiatrically disabled populations. During her tenure at CASCAP, the number of people served grew from 36 to over 200 and its annual operating budget grew from $250,000 to $4,500,000. She left CASCAP to raise a family. Mrs. Kennedy also served on the Board of Directors of the New England Salem Children’s Trust in Rumney, NH for ten years and on the building committee for West Congregational Church in Haverhill, MA, where she attends with her husband and three children.
Dean of the Upper School, Loren Hilgenhurst Stevens
As Dean of the Upper School, Loren Hilgenhurst Stevens oversees the upper school academic program, faculty hiring and development, accreditation activities, and operations. As a founder of the school, Mrs. Stevens has actively participated in the school’s leadership since its inception serving as Vice President on its Board of Directors and as a member at this time. Mrs. Stevens received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Wheaton College, IL and a Master of Literature and Education from Tufts University. After teaching high school English in North Attleboro, MA, she worked for Addison Wesley Publishing Company as a senior production editor for college mathematics, economics, statistics, and computer science textbooks. In this position Mrs. Stevens worked closely with authors on textbook curriculum and scope and sequence. Mrs. Stevens also managed budgeting, scheduling, copyediting, design, art, and photography ensuring timely and cost-effective publication. In 1997, Mrs. Stevens completed a degree from Massachusetts College of Art in Graphic Design and moved to the marketing department at Addison Wesley as a graphic designer and copywriter. She left the company in 1999 and subsequently established a free-lance design and production business. She has taught Sunday school, led church youth groups and youth mission trips, and worked with under-privileged youth in Chicago. Mrs. Stevens attends West Congregational Church in Haverhill, MA, with her husband and four children.
Dean of the Lower School, Margaret Cottrell
As Dean of the Lower School, Margaret Cottrell oversees lower school academic program, faculty hiring and development, student support services, and operations. She works with students, parents, and teachers to promote holistic student development relating to the spiritual, academic, personal and social growth of BCA’s lower school students. Margaret Cottrell is Massachusetts certified in Varying Exceptionalities K-5, and Moderate Disabilities 6-12, Middle School Science, Health, and English as a Second Language. Mrs. Cottrell has taught several different courses at BCA over the years and coordinates BCA’s Academic Support Program. Mrs. Cottrell graduated from Messiah College with degrees in Biology and Exercise Physiology. Following graduation, she lived in East Africa working for a relief and development agency serving refugees in the areas of water supply, medicine, and education. She spent six years working internationally in Latin America and the Caribbean facilitating short-term relief and development teams. Mrs. Cottrell has a Masters from George Mason University in Education and over ten years of teaching experience. Prior to coming to BCA, Mrs. Cottrell taught middle school in St. Petersburg, FL. She also taught five years in MA in public and charter schools. Mrs. Cottrell and her husband, Mark, facilitate BCA’s service abroad mission teams. They attend West Congregational Church in Haverhill, MA, with their three children.
Associate Dean of the Upper School, Cheryl A. Thurston
As part of BCA’s senior administrative team, Cheryl utilizes her experience working in college admissions to oversee BCA’s college guidance process ensuring that our high school students are informed and engaged toward gaining admission into colleges that fit the students’ goals and strengths. Further, Ms. Thurston supports the admissions team contributing to BCA’s marketing, recruitment, and enrollment efforts.
Ms. Thurston earned her B.A. in English Literature from Gordon College. After graduation, she began working in Gordon’s admissions office, meeting with prospective students as an Admissions Counselor and Events Coordinator. In 2002, Cheryl returned to her hometown in Maine, where she began work in the Maine public school system in the areas of Guidance and Administration. She earned her Master of Science in Educational Leadership from St. Joseph’s College. In her spare time, Cheryl enjoys photography, reading, hiking, theater, and spending time with her children. Cheryl resides in Bradford, MA, with her family.
