Our School

A familiar face is heading Holy Cross High School’s Counseling Department. Beloved Crusader veteran, Jodie LaCava McGarrity ’93 was named as the school’s new Director of Counseling. She has been a member of the department as a counselor since 2016 and was the Director of Admissions from 2004-2016. In addition to her new role, she will continue to serve as the International Program Director.

Prior to her work as Director of Admissions, Jodie worked in admissions offices as an undergraduate and graduate student at the University of Connecticut and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, respectively. Directly out of her graduate program in Higher Education Administration, she worked as the Assistant Director of Admission at Fairfield University.

Her transition from higher education to secondary education was a smooth one. At Fairfield, she worked closely with students during their college admissions process. That experience came in handy with the Holy Cross students since she knew what colleges were looking for in an applicant.

“In Counseling, we are here for everything and anything,” said Jodie. “We help incoming students transition into Holy Cross. We work with them through the academic process. We teach them different study skills. We figure out their likes and dislikes, form relationships and get to know them as individuals. We encourage them to get involved with co-curricular activities to build their skill set and resumes for college. We eventually lead them through the college preparation and search process.”

For Jodie, every day and every student is different. “One moment, you are walking students through course registration, and next, you are working through their social/emotional issues.” On another day, you are giving college financial aid guidance. Counseling is a microcosm of what Holy Cross is about – really getting to know and connecting with our students. We don’t just provide a service. We are very much in the trenches and proactive in what we offer.”