Salem Academy and College Names Dr. Jill Fleuriet as next President

Dr. Fleuriet brings a distinctive and highly relevant academic and leadership perspective rooted in the convergence of the humanities and health, an approach that aligns closely with Salem’s mission to educate girls and women and empower them to lead. Equally important, she is committed to the full Salem experience, including the formative role of a girls’ high school education in shaping confident, capable young women.

A cultural and medical anthropologist, her work explores how health, culture, identity, and systems of care shape individual and community wellbeing, positioning her to lead Salem’s continued evolution at this unique crossroads, from Salem Academy through Salem College and beyond.

Currently serving as Vice Provost for Honors Education at The University of Texas at San Antonio, Dr. Fleuriet leads a dynamic honors college designed around a liberal arts experience. Under her leadership, the program has expanded significantly, growing enrollment, strengthening student success outcomes, and advancing experiential learning opportunities that connect academic inquiry with real-world impact.

She also brings a personal connection to Salem Academy. Her husband, an educator, previously taught at Salem Academy, an experience that has given Dr. Fleuriet a meaningful appreciation for the Academy’s close-knit residential community and its lasting impact on students’ lives.

“Dr. Fleuriet brings an exceptional ability to bridge disciplines in ways that are both intellectually rigorous and highly practical,” said John McConnell, Salem Academy and College Board Chair. “Her work at the intersection of the humanities and health reflects exactly the kind of innovative, mission-aligned leadership that defines Salem. She understands how to connect a liberal arts education to the pressing challenges of our time, while also honoring the foundational role of the Academy experience in developing young women who are ready to lead.”

Dr. Fleuriet shared, “Salem’s commitment to women’s education—from the Academy through the College—resonates deeply with my own work and values. I believe strongly in the power of integrating humanistic inquiry with health and wellbeing to prepare students not only for careers, but for lives of purpose and impact. I am honored to join this extraordinary community and to help shape its next chapter.”

Salem Academy and College continues to distinguish itself through its integrated approach to leadership, learning, and interdisciplinary health and wellbeing. From the Academy’s focus on developing confidence, independence, and leadership in young women, to the College’s distinctive position at the intersection of liberal arts and health leadership, Salem prepares students to think critically, lead boldly, and contribute meaningfully to a complex and changing world. Dr. Fleuriet’s leadership further strengthens Salem’s position as a national model for educating girls and women across every stage of their academic journey.