Haughton Named Head of Upper School

Dr. Gina Haughton has been named head of University School of Milwaukee’s Upper School. She will work closely with the school’s senior management team and Upper School faculty while leading the division’s strategic direction.

Dr. Gina Haughton was named head of University School of Milwaukee’s Upper School in November 2022—making her the first division head in the school’s history who identifies as BIPOC. She served as the interim division head for the start of the 2022–23 school year. Haughton’s credentials, which have helped propelled her to roles of increasing responsibility every year since she began at USM in 2019, made it unnecessary for the school to have to look far for this important leadership role.

“Dr. Haughton will lead our Upper School in important and groundbreaking ways,” said Head of School Steve Hancock. “She began the year with a commitment and dedication to her new role. She quickly realized that leading the USM Upper School was a true calling for her and she expressed her desire to serve in the role on a permanent basis. We will all benefit from her passion for students and her evidence-based approach to leadership. I could have looked throughout the country and not found a stronger leader than Gina.”

Haughton began her career as a 2nd grade teacher with Milwaukee Public Schools, and she later served as an assessment coordinator, reading coordinator, and literacy coach for the district. Over time, she transitioned into higher education as a full-time instructor and chair of Cardinal Stritch University’s Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Science in Higher Education Student Affairs Leadership programs. With degrees in professional development, curriculum, and instruction (M.A.) and leadership, learning, and service (Ph.D.), she previously developed and taught dozens of graduate courses in both online and in-person formats, delivered presentations around the country, and authored several scholarly articles. Most recently, she was named a member of the 2022–23 cohort for the National Association of Independent School’s Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads.

One year after being hired at USM, her director of student success position had the role of equity added to the title, as she worked to define and lead the school’s PK–12 justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion vision and strategy—a role USM will now look to replace.

“I am truly humbled and fully understand the opportunity that I have to serve the Upper School community in this role,” said Haughton. “This role is not mine, it belongs to the community. I look forward to working alongside colleagues, students, and families to help continue to advance the strategic initiatives of the Upper School.”