Jung transitions to superintendent role

By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
 
Effective immediately, Dr. Dora Jung has transitioned from director of Catholic schools to superintendent having received her certification from the state of Iowa to serve as superintendent of record for the 14 Catholic school systems in the Diocese of Sioux City. She began her role as director of Catholic schools on July 1.
 
Jim Murray of Humboldt has been serving as interim superintendent since July 1 and will continue serving the diocesan schools as a part-time consultant.
 
“We are happy that Dr. Jung has completed the requirements necessary to receive her superintendent license from the state of Iowa. She has already proven herself to be an engaged leader who makes our students a priority. As we congratulate her, we offer our gratitude to Jim Murray for stepping in as interim superintendent for several months and assisting Dr. Jung. We are very fortunate that he has agreed to continue his association with the diocese as our consultant to the Catholic Schools Office and to Dr. Jung,” Bishop John E. Keehner said of the transition.
 
As Murray steps down from the interim superintendent role, he shared his confidence in Dr. Jung as she continues her leadership in the Catholic Schools Office.
 
“I have been truly impressed by Dr. Jung and the genuine care she brings to everything she does. One of the things that stands out most to me is the time and effort she has invested in building personal relationships with diocesan administrators and school boards,” he pointed out. “She doesn’t simply work from behind a desk. She makes the effort to be present in our schools, meet school staff personally, listen to their needs and build relationships based on trust and mutual respect.”
 
Dr. Jung said she found the interim period from July until now to be beneficial as she had the support of Murray, who had served in several administrative roles in public schools before retiring last spring as superintendent of Humboldt and Twin Rivers public schools.
 Dr. Jung“I am profoundly grateful to Jim and the diocese for providing me with such exceptional mentorship during this transition. Jim is a remarkable leader and I have been truly blessed to learn from him. I look forward to our continued work together as he transitions into a consultant role. As I assume the role of superintendent, I pray that my leadership brings abundant opportunities for our students and staff to thrive and achieve their fullest potential under God’s endless goodness,” she said.
 
Dr. Jung came to the diocese after serving the Sioux City Community School District for eight years. In that role she was responsible for state and federal compliance, grant funding, program implementation, equity and inclusion, safety and professional development. She previously worked as a Spanish instructor in Sioux Falls.
 
 She earned a doctor of education degree in education administration and education specialist degree from the University of South Dakota, bachelor of science in Spanish teaching from Black Hills State University, master of science in criminal justice from the Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca in Mexico and a bachelor of science in law and social sciences from the Universidad Regional del Sureste in Mexico.
 
 Dr. Jung is a member of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish in North Sioux City, South Dakota.
 
There are approximately 6,200 students in the 14 diocesan school systems. Schools include Bishop Garrigan Schools in Algona, Sacred Heart School in Boone, Kuemper Catholic Schools in Carroll, Danbury Catholic School, St. Rose of Lima School in Denison, Emmetsburg Catholic School, St. Edmond Catholic Schools in Fort Dodge, St. Mary School in Humboldt, Gehlen Catholic School in Le Mars, Pocahontas Catholic School, St. Mary School in Remsen, Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools in Sioux City, Sacred Heart School in Spencer and St. Mary Schools in Storm Lake.

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