We'll Miss You!
Nikki Sweeney and Sylvester Cutler have taken new leadership opportunities at The Village School of Naples and Greenhills School, respectively.
NIKKI SWEENEY
After 21 years at University School of Milwaukee, Nikki (Lucyk) Sweeney has taken a new role at The Village School of Naples, Florida, where she is the head of upper school and assistant head of school.
Sweeney started at USM teaching in the Lower School, but her role quickly evolved and expanded. She was vital in developing many key programs in the areas of technology at USM, and has been a role model for young women interested in math, science, and technology. Her vision and work were central in establishing the signature Lubar Center for Innovation and Exploration, which opened in 2017. She also helped to launch USM’s award-winning FIRST Robotics team that same year.
Before that, her belief in the positive aspects of technology led to the implementation of USM’s 1:1 Program in the 2012–13 school year, which now provides students in grades 1 through 12 with their own dedicated personal computing devices.
Sweeney believes that young people need only trust and opportunity to flourish. This belief was borne out in the creation of the nationally recognized House of Technology, where students provide technology and equipment support to the school, of which she played a pivotal role. “Many of Nikki’s former students would say that they owe their direction, their confidence, even their careers, to the trust that Nikki placed in them,” said Stuart Cushman, head of Upper School.
“While I will miss Nikki’s friendship and advice, I wholeheartedly support her interest in pursuing an academic leadership position and look forward to visiting her in sunny Naples, Florida,” said Gregg Bach, assistant head of school.
SYLVESTER CUTLER
Sylvester Cutler has accepted a new position as director of enrollment management at Greenhills School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Cutler started at USM in 2008, and held many roles while at the school, including assistant dean of students in the Upper School, advisor, varsity basketball coach, and, most recently, associate director of Enrollment Management and director of financial aid and scholarships.
Cutler accomplished much during his time at USM. In addition to meeting with new school families through the enrollment process, he managed USM’s financial aid and scholarship programs, working in partnership with current and prospective families to help ensure that a USM education remains accessible. Cutler established relationships with area schools, including Bruce-Guadalupe Middle School and Milwaukee College Prep, and participated in outreach by visiting schools and attending high school fairs.
“Connecting prospective families to USM has been rewarding and I have learned so much from the great work that is done both in the classroom and behind the scenes,” said Cutler.
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