A New Chapter: Welcoming President Jennifer Harris

Salpointe is proud to welcome Jennifer Harris as our new President.

Jen has served the past eight years as Salpointe’s Director of Advancement, contributing to fundraising, strategic planning, communications, financial management, and more. A UA alum with a BA in Humanities (Spanish) and an MBA from the University of Phoenix, Jen’s Lancer roots run deep with her husband Tim ’87, their children Emma ’18 and Ash ’20, and 12 other family members all alumni. With gratitude, faith, and enthusiasm, Jen looks forward to leading Salpointe into its 75th anniversary year and beyond, honoring our mission and building a strong future.

What inspired you to take on this role at our school?
My formal answer to that question is that I truly believe in the power of Catholic education to improve lives, and I want to serve our Salpointe community in the most impactful way that I can. I mean that wholeheartedly, but there are so many other little joys that inspired me to serve as President: the youthful, chaotic energy of teenagers in a pep assembly, the enduring Salpointe pride and love shown by alumni who walked these halls in the 1950s, the way I feel the Catholic, Carmelite spirit during all-school Masses, the gratitude I have for what Salpointe gave my own children, and countless small moments every day that call me to serve.

What is your vision for the future of the Salpointe community?
We have 75 years of tradition and culture that I treasure and am committed to uphold, while ensuring that our students are receiving an innovative education that prepares them for college. We will spend the next few years looking at ways to expand our retreat and service programs, develop responsible ways to incorporate AI into the classroom, enhance wellness programming for students, and increase our financial aid endowment to better serve our students in need of support.

How do you plan to stay connected with students, parents and alumni?
I think visibility is essential. I’ve been out on campus greeting students during passing periods, I’m attending every event I possibly can, I’ll make sure I share important information with our community, and I’m interested in hearing from all of you. Please share your achievements, challenges, and ideas with me.

What advice would you give to students about leadership and service?
When I was a senior in high school, a friend of mine was applying to be our graduation speaker. I asked her if she thought she’d be chosen. She answered that she didn’t think so but said, “the more things I try for, the more things I’ll get.” That comment truly changed my perspective on taking leadership risks. So my advice is: Try. Try often, try when you’re nervous, try even when it would be easier not to. You can’t succeed if you don’t try.

I’m going to steal my service advice from Rabindranath Tagore, a famous Bengali polymath: “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” There is no greater feeling than making another’s life happier, easier, or better.

What was your favorite subject or extracurricular in high school?
Spanish was my favorite subject and I was the president of the Foreign Language and Cultures Club, a group for students who were studying foreign languages or in the U.S. as foreign exchange students. We had so much fun exploring world cultures: trying foods from South Africa, picking up little phrases in Japanese, and learning that Spaniards give a cheek kiss instead of shaking hands. The experience fueled my love of languages and passion for travel.

If you weren’t working in Catholic education, what would you be doing?
I have a great belief that education changes lives for the better, so if I weren’t at Salpointe I might be at the University of Arizona where I worked earlier in my career or working for a non-profit that supports education. But I can’t even imagine being anywhere else!

What’s one book (or movie) you think every student should read (or see)? 
I’ll do one serious and one silly. Read To Kill a Mockingbird to truly understand our moral responsibility to treat others with respect and kindness. Watch Can’t Buy Me Love because it was filmed in Tucson, the 80s fashion is magnificent, and my husband, Tim ‘87, was an extra – he can be seen on the football field and at the pizza place!
What message would you like to share with our students as they begin the new school year?
Treat one another with kindness. Try something new. Be gentle with yourself when you’re struggling. Have fun! Do your best. Trust in God’s love for you.

Anything else you’d like to share with our community?
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as the President of Salpointe Catholic High School. I will strive each day to honor Salpointe’s mission, live our values, protect our legacy, and build a strong future for our community. Go Lancers!