Jennifer Hornyak
Most Rev. Mark Brennan, Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, announced today that Jennifer Hornyak has been named superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
Hornyak has served as interim superintendent of Catholic Schools since July 1, 2023. She has been a part of the Department of Catholic Schools in the diocese for nearly 23 years. Hornyak served as the Associate Superintendent in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston for seven years. Prior to her role of associate superintendent, she served as the Director of Educational Technology. During her time 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, Jennifer 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 ten years.
“I am pleased to appoint Jennifer Hornyak as superintendent of our Catholic Schools,” Bishop 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.”
Hornyak has earned two undergraduate degrees from Wheeling (Jesuit) University and a master’s degree in educational technology from Boise State University. She also earned a graduate certificate in School Technology Coordination from Boise State University. In addition, she has earned a Certificate in Catholic School Management from Villanova University. “I am truly grateful for this opportunity to lead the Catholic schools across the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston,” Hornyak said. “It is a privilege to be entrusted with the responsibility of guiding our schools in faith formation and academic growth of our students. 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.
“I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with our extremely dedicated 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.”
Hornyak added that she is excited to see continued growth in Catholic schools across the diocese— from enrollment to academic achievements to 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.
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston provide a Christ-centered education to more than 4,500 students in six high schools and 18 elementary/middle schools in 13 counties in our state. For more information, please visit https://wvcatholicschools.org.