Vanessa Jacobs has been named the new principal of Juan Diego Catholic High School in Draper. Jacobs previously served as the principal of Saint John the Baptist Middle School, which is located on the Skaggs Catholic Center Campus.
Jacobs previously taught AP art history and Spanish at Juan Diego Catholic High School in 2013 before serving as an assistant principal at the school. She has been part of the Skaggs Catholic Center for 14 years and also serves as an adjunct professor for Fletcher Technical Community College in Louisiana.
Jacobs succeeds Dr. Galey Colosimo, the founder and first principal of Juan Diego Catholic High School, who retired at the end of the last school year after more than 25 years in the role. Jacobs stated that following Colosimo is a daunting task and noted her intention to follow the advice of St. Francis of Assisi by starting with what is necessary and what is possible.
Jacobs holds a master’s degree in history and a certificate in administrative leadership. Her family moved from Louisiana to Lehi approximately 15 years ago. While working as an adjunct professor, she has been active with the faith community at St. Peter Parish in American Fork.
In her new role, Jacobs expressed a desire to build strong partnerships with parents and families. She noted that Catholic education combines the mind, body, and spirit within a strong community.
Jacobs has three children who have been educated at the Skaggs Catholic Center. Her oldest child graduated in 2020, her middle child graduated last year, and her youngest is scheduled to graduate this year.
