Administration
Ms. Ramona Payne '76, President
Ms. Payne joined Ursuline Academy in 2020 after serving in a variety of corporate and nonprofit leadership positions. Previous positions include Director of Development for Arts Advancement at her undergraduate alma mater, the University of Notre Dame; she began her professional career in Cincinnati at Procter & Gamble. She also served as Director of Community Relations for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park as well as having volunteered for Ursuline Academy – as a Board member and committee member for the Spirit of '76 class scholarship. She earned her M.B.A at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and a Creative Writing Certificate from the University of Chicago Graham School.
When speaking of her role at role at Ursuline Academy she said, "My experience at Ursuline was much more than preparation for college; it was transformative. I was taught by educators who saw teaching as a calling, encouraged young women to discern their unique talents and interests, and set the expectation that through our faith in God and commitment to service we could find our own path to making the world a better place. The intellectual curiosity nurtured at Ursuline was the impetus for a life full of career success and challenges."
Ms. Payne is responsible for ensuring that the mission and philosophy of the school inform all key decisions and programs. She provides leadership for the financial, enrollment, advancement, and overall strategic direction of the school, and works closely with the Board of Trustees and Foundation Board.
(513) 791-5791 ext. 1212
Ms. Jill Hallahan, Principal
Ms. Hallahan began her career at Ursuline in 2006. She has a B.A. from Thomas More College, an M.A.T. from University of Cincinnati, and
Ms. Hallahan serves as the Principal, overseeing all aspects of education at Ursuline, including curriculum, faculty professional development, facilitating the new employee orientation program, and overseeing teacher licensure for Ursuline faculty. Ms. Hallahan serves as a Board of Trustees member.
(513) 791-5791 ext. 1110
Ms. Kerrie Katsetos, Assistant Principal
Ms. Katsetos serves both as an Assistant Principal and part-time Spanish Teacher here at UA, bringing both classroom and administrative experience to support our Student Activities programming. She works closely with Student Council and the Community Ministries Department in order to foster alignment to our mission through the many student-led clubs and activities offered at Ursuline Academy.
Ms. Katsetos joined Ursuline in 2019 and was most recently Assistant Principal at DePaul Cristo Rey High School. She has a B.S. from University of Cincinnati in Spanish and secondary education and an M.Ed. from Xavier University.
(513) 791-5791 ext. 1104
Ms. Julie Shore, Assistant Principal
Ms. Shore began her career at Ursuline in 2022. She has a BA from Northern Kentucky University, an MEd from Western Governors University and has completed the Gifted Endorsement K-12 program at the University of Cincinnati.
Ms. Shore serves as Assistant Principal of Curriculum & Learning and works closely with department coordinators to revise curriculum as needed and to maintain curricular standards.
(513) 791-5791 ext. 1102
Ms. Elizabeth Gromada, Dean of Students
Ms. Gromada began her career at Ursuline in 2007 after over a decade in the corporate world. She has taught World History, US History, Economics, Current Issues, AP World History, AP Economics, and Intro. to Sociology. She was also on the Accreditation Steering Committee in 2017-19 and was sophomore class moderator in 2016-2020. She earned a B.A. from George Washington University and an M.Ed. from Xavier University. She is currently taking classes towards an Administrator License at the University of Cincinnati.
Ms. Gromada serves as Dean of Students and works closely with Administration and Counseling to ensure our students are following school policies and attending their classes in order to realize academic excellence.
(513) 791-5791 ext. 1103
