PARKERSBURG — A new superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston has been appointed.

Jennifer Hornyak has been interim superintendent since July 1, 2023, and has been a part of the Department of Catholic Schools in the diocese for nearly 23 years. She was an associate superintendent in the diocese for seven years.

She succeeded Mary Ann Deschaine, who became superintendent of schools in the Diocese of Knoxville (Tenn.) in July 2023. Deschaine was appointed superintendent for Wheeling-Charleston in 2018.

Hornyak said she was grateful for the opportunity to lead the Catholic schools across the diocese.

“It is a privilege to be entrusted with the responsibility of guiding our schools in faith formation and academic growth of our students,” Hornyak said. “I am very proud of the strong tradition of Catholic education of providing intense academic rigor within the context of our Catholic faith, here in West Virginia. Our Catholic schools are a true gift to all of us.”

Hornyak also said she looks forward to collaboratively working with principals, teachers and staff “to continue to make our schools the best that they can be.”

“Working in partnership with parents, the primary teachers of their children, we have an important role to help each child recognize, develop and share their God-given talents,” she said.

The announcement was made by the bishop of the diocese, the Most Rev. Mark Brennan.

“I am pleased to appoint Jennifer Hornyak as superintendent of our Catholic Schools,”

Brennan said. “Since being named interim superintendent, she has shown a great love not only for our students, but also for the staff and administration of our schools. She has shown a great commitment to our Catholic identity and has worked very hard to create a nurturing environment where students can learn and grow in love of Christ.”

Harnyak was director of Educational Technology before becoming associate superintendent. At the diocese, Hornyak has worked with teachers and principals in many areas including educational technology, professional development, data analysis of assessment data and school improvement.

In addition to her work at the diocese, Harnyak is an adjunct instructor in the Educational Department at Wheeling University where she has taught both online and in-person education classes over the past 10 years.

She has two undergraduate degrees from Wheeling (Jesuit) University and a master’s in educational technology from Boise State University. She also earned a graduate certificate in School Technology Coordination from Boise State.

In addition, she has earned a Certificate in Catholic School Management from Villanova University.

Hornyak also said she is excited to see continued growth in Catholic schools in the Diocese including enrollment, academic achievements and spiritual formation.

“I look forward to continuing to improve our schools for our students so that they are always part of a nurturing and supportive learning environment preparing them for academic successes and lifelong moral development shaped by the Catholic faith,” she said.

Eighteen elementary schools including Parkersburg Catholic Elementary School are in the diocese. The six high schools in the diocese are Parkersburg Catholic High School, Central Catholic High School in Wheeling, Charleston Catholic High School, Madonna High School in Weirton, Notre Dame High School in Clarksburg and St. Joseph’s Central Catholic High School in Huntington.