Deep Community Roots and Jesuit Mission Drive Historic Appointment
TOLEDO, Ohio — St. John’s Jesuit today announced the appointment of Dr. Michael Pool as its next President. The announcement marks the culmination of a deliberate, values-driven search led by the school’s Board of Directors — and, for many in the St. John’s Jesuit community, a genuine homecoming.
A graduate of St. John’s Jesuit (Class of 2012), Dr. Pool recently completed his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Boston College. He also holds a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard University and a Credential of Readiness (CORe) from Harvard Business School, along with a Bachelor of Science from Boston College. Dr. Pool most recently served as Dean of Students at Boston College High School, a Jesuit institution serving approximately 1,500 young men.
“Coming home to St. John’s Jesuit is a privilege I don’t take lightly,” said Dr. Pool. “This place shaped who I am — as a student, as a leader and as a person of faith. I owe so much of my life to what happened inside these walls, and I am honored by the opportunity to give back to this community that gave so much to me.”
This appointment reflects a deliberate, long-view decision by the Board — one grounded in both mission and momentum. Dr. Pool returns to St. John’s Jesuit as part of the Midwest Province and the Board of Directors’ plan to establish longevity in school leadership. In addition to his deep roots at St. John’s Jesuit, Dr. Pool brings a unique combination of academic rigor and real-world leadership experience shaped through his work in Jesuit education and leading academic institutions.
“Dr. Pool’s formation in and love for Jesuit secondary education was discovered at St John’s, nurtured at Boston College, and sharpened at Boston College High School. His deep faith and care for mission will certainly bring him much success,” Fr. Karl Kiser, SJ, provincial of the USA Midwest Province said. “Dr. Pool is sure to help lead future generations of Titans to pursue greater academic excellence, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and lives rooted in faith and justice.”
The Board of Directors’ search focused on identifying a high-potential leader with the professional qualifications to lead a premier Jesuit institution into the future. Equally important to the Board was his authentic connection to the school and a shared commitment to serving the Greater Toledo community. “The Board searched with discipline and conviction, and the process led us back to someone who already belongs to this community,” said Karl Ertle, President of St. John’s Jesuit. “Dr. Pool knows this school in and out — its mission, its people, what it asks of you and what it gives you in return. We are confident, fully and unanimously, that he is the right person to lead St. John’s Jesuit into its next exciting chapter.”
Dr. Pool will formally begin his tenure this July, at which point President Ertle will continue to serve during a planned transitional period working alongside Dr. Pool. This intentional period reflects the Board’s commitment to continuity and the value it places on President Ertle’s experience and leadership, ensuring a thoughtful and stable transition for the school community.
Dr. Pool’s first year will be defined by immersion in the St. John’s Jesuit community — engaging faculty, students, families, alumni and supporters while actively applying his experience and perspective to the school’s most important opportunities and needs. This approach reflects a commitment to thoughtful, informed leadership grounded in both listening and action.