February 6, 2023 — Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose, California, has named Roderick D. “Rod” Jemison as its next principal, effective in July 2023.
Bellarmine president Chris Meyercord said, “I’m absolutely thrilled to have Mr. Jemison become Bellarmine’s next principal. He brings a wealth of experience in all aspects of high school work, and a deep desire to give back to his roots in Catholic education, which was so formative in his own life.”
Mr. Jemison is the founding head of school of United World College ISAK Japan, where he currently serves as advisor. He was also the upper school director, upper school dean of students and teacher at La Jolla Country Day School in La Jolla, California. He has taught at The Branson School in Ross, California; Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville; and Kurikoma Junior High School in Miyagi, Japan.
“Being named principal at Bellarmine is definitely the highlight of my professional career,” said Mr. Jemison. “Bellarmine is an amazing community, and I look forward to my future interactions with each and every Bell!”
Mr. Jemison earned a bachelor’s in English literature from Morehouse College and a master’s in literature from Tennessee State University. He was appointed national co-chair of the 2010 National Association of Independent Schools People of Color and Student Diversity Leadership Conference and created and led implementation of a strategic plan to address issues of diversity involving students, parents, faculty and staff.
“Mr. Jemison is a charismatic leader, and the students, faculty and staff, and parents thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him when he was here last month,” noted Mr. Meyercord. “I firmly believe he will take our already excellent Catholic, Jesuit education to the next level.”
“Bellarmine has been tremendously blessed this year to have Dr. Sonya Arriola serving as our principal,” Mr. Meyercord said. “She has done an amazing job in the role and will return to her work on strategic initiatives for the school and helping to ensure a smooth transition for Mr. Jemison. We are very fortunate to have such talented educators who are deeply committed to our students and the fulfillment of our mission to help form a community that is ‘for and with others.’”