Leadership
Andrea Shurley, Ed.D., President
Dr. Andrea Shurley, President of Ursuline Academy, served as Ursuline's Principal from 2014-2024. She came to Ursuline after eleven impactful years in teaching and administration with the Schools of the Sacred Heart in San Francisco, California, including a transformative tenure as Head of School, Convent of the Sacred Heart High School. Prior to her work in education, she built a successful technology career first in Austin and then in Silicon Valley.
Dr. Shurley received her BA in English at The University of Texas at Austin, earned her MA in English at Texas State University - San Marcos, and completed her Doctor of Education degree in Catholic Educational Leadership at University of San Francisco. She is a graduate of Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, an all-girls Catholic school in Houston.
Kayla Brown, Principal
Kayla Brown, Principal, began her career as a social studies teacher in Richardson ISD before joining Ursuline in 2007 as a Social Studies faculty member and later Department Chair. In 2013, she moved into administration, serving first as Assistant Dean of Students and then as Dean of Students for eight years.
She later spent three years as Principal of John Paul II High School before returning to Ursuline. She holds a B.A. in Secondary Education – Social Studies from Louisiana State University, an M.A. in Liberal Studies from Southern Methodist University, and a Graduate Certificate in Catholic School Leadership from Creighton University.