Melissa Santa-Cruz, Director of Student Services

We're happy to welcome experienced school counselor and school administrator Melissa Santa-Cruz to DSHA. In the role of Director of Student Services, Ms. Santa-Cruz will use her administrative training and experience to lead the department as counselors accompany students throughout their high school formation, in alignment with best practices framed by the American School Counseling Association. Ms. Santa-Cruz was drawn to DSHA because we are rooted in the belief that student services should provide a holistic foundation that allows young women to thrive spiritually, academically, and personally.

In addition to serving as the department's director, Mrs. Santa-Cruz is the dedicated counselor for Caritas House. She'll support those students in their academic, social, emotional, mental health, and college and career planning.  

Mrs. Santa-Cruz has a background both as a licensed counselor and school administrator. She has balanced the very heavy reality of various crisis interventions and the long-term work of supporting student wellness with the operational side of running a school. She has developed a significant breadth of experience building genuine trust with students and families in the Milwaukee community. Ms. Santa-Cruz is well positioned to utilize her greatest strength in building a culture and climate where students, staff, and families feel a sense of belonging- a current strength of the DSHA culture and one which we work tirelessly to assure for each student, family, and staff member. Ms. Santa-Cruz wants to nurture an environment where every young woman feels seen and respected enough to lean into her unique gifts. She is deeply committed to the social-emotional development of young women, ensuring they have the tools to build resilience and self-advocacy during these pivotal years.

In addition to her counseling and administrative work at Bay View High School, Ms. Santa-Cruz has also worked as a counselor and cancer information specialist at the Duke University Cancer Center. Ms. Santa-Cruz holds a BA in Sociology from Emory University and a master's in both Educational Psychology and Educational Leadership & Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and a Wisconsin license in school counseling and administration.

Ms. Santa-Cruz has four adult children, including three daughters. In her free time, she enjoys service immersion trips with family to Haiti and travel in general, especially to see her oldest daughter in NYC. She is also a lifelong tennis and soccer player. She still plays soccer a couple of times a week with her soccer club. She also enjoys reading, camping, canoeing, and DIY projects in her hundred-year-old house.   

Tanya Keenan, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Along with the unanimous support of the DSHA Executive Leadership Team and Board Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, we welcome Tanya Keenan!

Mrs. Keenan is a lifelong Catholic and parishioner at All Saints Parish. There, she serves as the Interim Food Program Outreach Coordinator. Mrs. Keenan is passionate about her faith and proficient in applying Catholic identity and Catholic Social Teaching, as well as in helping teens find their voices at school and in the community. She believes in the inherent dignity of all and wants every Dasher to feel a sense of belonging at DSHA.

Mrs. Keenan served as an English educator for 28 years and has taught at Mount Mary University, Messmer High School, Wauwatosa East High School, Pilgrim Park Middle School, and Bryant & Stratton College. She also served as the director of the Caroline Scholars Program at Mount Mary University, taught a seminar on race and social class at Mount Mary's summer camp, and was the faculty moderator for Wauwatosa East's Black Student Union. 

She holds a BS in Secondary Education-English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MA in Humanities from the University of Chicago. As a girl, Mrs. Keenan attended an all-girls Catholic high school. She and her husband have three daughters, and in her free time, you'll find Mrs. Keenan traveling and reading.

We're so grateful to have Mrs. Keenan, a gifted educator and relationship builder, at DSHA! Mrs. Keenan's office is located in Campus Ministry. Stop by and say hello!

Beth Czarnecki, Marian Scholars Faculty

Beth Czarnecki is no stranger to DSHA! She has a Dasher daughter (Mary Czarnecki '23) and has served as a volunteer and substitute in our Marian Scholars Program. She also has experience as a teacher and interventionist with Elmbrook School District and as a substitute teacher at Holy Apostles and New Berlin School District. She has a deep knowledge of DSHA's academic programs, schedule, and school culture, and she's committed to the all-girls experience.

Mrs. Czarnecki has a degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She, her husband, and three children are parishioners at Holy Apostles in New Berlin. At home, she enjoys being in her garden.

Amy Lovejoy, Mathematics Faculty

We are happy to welcome Amy Lovejoy to our Mathematics Department. She has served as a substitute at DSHA as well as our interim Dean of Student Affairs during Rachel Fredricks's maternity leave.

Additionally, Mrs. Lovejoy has been the co-president of St. Monica's Home & School and has worked at companies including Kroger and Laughlin Constable before she began her training as a math teacher. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Information Systems & Mathematics from Xavier University. She completed math teacher education training through the American Board.

Mrs. Lovejoy is an all-girls school graduate; she attended Mother of Mercy High School in Cincinnati, OH. She and her husband have three daughters. During her free time, she enjoys reading and seeing her daughters play volleyball.

Holly Plevak, Academic Administrative Assistant

As you come in the front entrance of DSHA, you'll see a new face: Holly Plevak! Ms. Plevak will be supporting the front office, academic dean, and dean of students.

Ms. Plevak has her associate's degree in Business Management from MATC and a BS in Business Management from Cardinal Stritch University. For more than 15 years, she's supported schools and businesses. 

Stop by the front office to say hello and chat about what she has planned for Christmas (Ms. Plevak was born on Christmas Eve and loves the holidays!) or her latest thrifting find.