Previous Communications 

Please take a moment to review our previous communications regarding the Head of School search. They provide important context and updates as we move forward in this critical process.
 

Head of School Search Update: September 3, 2025
 

Head of School Search Update: August 6, 2025

 

Search Committee Members 

Richard “Dick” P. Dahling ’77 retired mid-2021 as Vice President for the Workplace Investing Division of Fidelity Investments, the nation’s largest provider of defined contribution record-keeping services. Based in New York City, Dick served as an advisor on investment-related matters to senior executives of corporations who serve as fiduciaries for their organizations’ defined contributions retirement plans. He joined Fidelity in December of 1997. 

Dick graduated from University Liggett School in 1977 and went on to complete undergraduate (BA) and graduate (MBA) studies at Trinity College in Hartford, CT and The Darden School at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA, respectively. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) professional designations. 

Dick served on the ULS Board of Trustees from 2018 to 2024, during which he chaired the Investment Committee throughout his entire term. He is rejoining the board this year and will once again serve as Chair of the Investment Committee. 

Jen Dickey is an engineer professional and the incoming President of the Parents Association. She has led numerous volunteer initiatives at the school, most notably serving as chair of Visioning Day during our strategic planning process. 

Kristen A. Feemster-Kim, MD, MPH, MSPHR ‘91, is Director of Research for the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Her areas of expertise are: Epidemiology of vaccine preventable diseases with a focus on community and social factors; Global and domestic vaccine policy; Vaccine hesitancy; and Ambulatory healthcare associated respiratory infection and surveillance. 

Dr. Feemster received her MD and an MPH in Population and Family Health from Columbia University Schools of Medicine and Public Health in New York City. She completed pediatric residency at CHOP then pursued a dual fellowship training program in health services research and pediatric infectious diseases; she was a fellow in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Clinical Scholars Program at Penn, completing a Master of Science degree in Health Policy Research then returned to CHOP for pediatric infectious diseases training. She joined the faculty in 2010. 

Maureen Juip holds a BS in Engineering and an MBA from the University of Michigan. After working for a number of years at BASF, she paused her work in the business world to raise a family of five children here in Grosse Pointe with her husband, Randy. Her family includes two children who suffer from Friedreich’s Ataxia, a rare degenerative neuromuscular disease. Maureen offers her services as a parent advocate for that organization and raises money for research and awareness. 

Maureen is chair of the Committee on Trustees and has served on the Buildings & Grounds Committee, Community Engagement & Belonging Ad Hoc Committee, and was Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. She is also chair of the 2025-26 Head of School Search Committee. 

Gretchen Knoell Higbie served on the University Liggett School Board of Trustees from 2010-2016 and sat on the Investment and Finance Committees. She returned to the board in 2019, served as chair of the Finance Committee, and is now President of the Board. Gretchen is a partner with Lake Street Capital, a venture capital and private equity firm focused primarily on the technology and business service industries, which she founded in 2003. She received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration. 

Erin Martin is Chief of Staff and General Counsel for Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.  With extensive knowledge in employment and franchise law, Martin’s leadership helps to protect the business interests of Little Caesars, the third-largest pizza chain in the world. She joined Little Caesars in 2007 as counsel and held positions with increasing responsibility before she was named the top legal officer in the company in 2015 and leader of the business support teams in 2017. She was appointed chief of staff in 2021. Erin earned a BA in political science from Michigan State University in 1997, a JD from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 2001. 

Shernaz Minwalla serves as the Assistant Head of School and Head of Upper School at University Liggett School, where she is entering her 25th year of service. Over the years, she has held several key roles, including Assistant Head of Upper School and Dean of Student Life, Director of the Academic Research Program, Upper School Science Coordinator, and Upper School Science Teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and English Literature from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Science Education from Wayne State University. 

Phill Moss is the senior faculty member at University Liggett School beginning his 41st year of service. He serves as the Department Chair for the Creative and Performing Arts Department. 

He received a BFA in theater performance, an MFA in theater direction, and a Doctorate in Art Education, all at Wayne State University. 

Nicholas Noecker ‘85 is the President of International Extrusions, Inc., the Midwest’s leading aluminum extrusion company. He is also a board member of the Detroit Tradesmen Rugby Football Club. A 1985 graduate of University Liggett School, Nick holds a BBA from Emory University and an MBA from the University of North Carolina. Nick serves as Chair of the Finance Committee. 

Tony Smith has 30 years’ experience as an entrepreneur and investor, having previously founded The Malachi Group and as the founder and current president of Neptune Global LLC. A graduate of Morehouse University, Tony is a parent of Stuart ’21 and Tony Jr. ’28. Tony is a current member of the Strategic Planning Committee and volunteers with the Music Conservatory of Westchester and as Chairman of the Block Committee for St. Aloysius Church. Tony serves as Secretary of the Board.