Her name is one to remember in education — Dr. Debra Haney ‘22. The Ed.D alumna from the University of St. Thomas-Houston is behind the recent buzz about our nation’s second Catholic technical high school opening in Houston. As the Secretariat Director and Superintendent of Catholic Schools for The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Haney served as a “visionary, researcher, planner, gatherer of the troops, coordinator, fundraiser, marketer, cheerleader and advocate.”

New School to Impact Community and Business

Consequently, the St. Peter Catholic Career and Technical High School building at 6220 La Salette Street is projected to open for fall classes. The school is designed to form leaders for the Church and in-demand employees for our great city’s businesses. Furthermore, it has had tremendous support from Archdiocesan leadership. 

“The school will produce graduates who are well-trained and ready for careers when they graduate,” Haney said. “We anticipate students receiving knowledge and solid skill sets to fill much needed entry-level positions or jobs requiring industry certifications. Moreover, these students will be well-formed, faith-filled employees whose mission is to serve well.”

Haney’s Ed.D Guided Her in this Project

The stamp of Haney’s Ed.D in Ethical Leadership from UST guided the project to reality.

“My Ed.D guided me in this project by helping to hone my skills in leadership that are practiced with integrity, collaboration, transparency and good decision-making,” Haney explained.

The dean of UST’s School of Education, Dr. Ana-Lisa Gonzalez, said, “I was not at all surprised to learn that Dr. Debra Haney was an integral part of the development of the new high school, as she is highly innovative and makes decisions from the ‘know.’ Dr. Haney truly assesses and recognizes the needs of the students and families that her schools serve, not to mention the need for quality technical schools in our area. Catering to that which her constituents and the greater community need is at the helm of the decisions that she makes. Hence, a Catholic based, quality technical school.”

Seeking Higher Guidance and Wanting Students to be Difference-Makers

Haney, a native Houstonian and mother who seeks guidance from the Holy Spirit, wants more students to benefit from a Catholic education where they can emerge as “respectful, dependable, well-mannered, articulate, collaborative, critical thinkers who are service-oriented difference makers.”

The first-generation college graduate said, “I may not have had the benefit of a Catholic school education growing up as my kids did, but I am proud to say that I am a Catholic university graduate. I thank God for the tremendous life He has given me through Catholic education, and I am grateful that the Holy Spirit has been working in my life as I strive to follow God’s will and given my life in service to His children. I am truly blessed!”

About UST’s Ed.D Program

In UST’s Ed.D program, leadership begins with character and is always nurtured by faith. A solid philosophy of leadership is established before the practical skills of management, administration and organizational development are introduced. UST’s Ed.D in Ethical Leadership is a three-year, live-online and live-on-campus program with classes exclusively on Saturdays. The curriculum and format are tailored for busy, working professionals and include a convenient summer start and a cohort model.