Daniel F. Curtin, a native Washingtonian, has served Catholic education as a teacher, counselor and administrator at the secondary, archdiocesan and national levels. 

Mr. Curtin’s various roles in Catholic education include the distinction of serving as the first lay principal of any school conducted by the Brothers of Holy Cross, Mackin Catholic High School in Washington, D.C.  He has served on the Board of Directors of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and was a member of the Middle States Commission of Secondary Schools.  In 1989, Mr. Curtin was appointed acting president of Archbishop Carroll High School, Washington, D.C., with the task of reorganizing three archdiocesan high schools into one co-educational institution. For twelve years he served on the Mount Saint Mary’s University Board of Trustees and as its Chair from 1999-2001.  He continues to serve on the Board’s Seminary Committee and the Academic Affairs Committee. 

Dan is the current Chair of the Rector’s Council at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, MD.  He serves on three advisory committees: the Center for Catholic Education at Boston College, the Center for Catholic School Effectiveness at Mount Saint Mary’s University and The Journal for Catholic Education.  Mr. Curtin also serves on the Bishop McNamara High School Board of Directors, Forestville, MD, and as a Board member at St. Edmond’s Academy, Wilmington, DE and Corpus Christi School, Falls Church, VA.  In 2011, Dan was appointed to the Religious Education Advisory Committee of the Archdiocese of Washington by Cardinal Donald Wuerl.

From 1985-1999, Mr. Curtin served on the personal staff of the late Cardinal James Hickey as Secretary for Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of Washington. From 1999 to 2011, he was the Executive Director of the Department of Chief Administrators of Catholic Education of the National Catholic Education Association.  In the latter position, he worked closely with Catholic diocesan educational and catechetical officials across the United States in the area of professional programs and services.  

Throughout his entire professional career Mr. Curtin has been one of the strongest proponents of the essential role that boards, councils and commissions play in the success of institutions in Catholic school systems. 

Along with most educators, Dan Curtin’s love for the profession is rooted in his own education, which includes a B.S. from Mount St. Mary’s University, an M.Ed. from George Mason Univeristy, an M.A. from the University of Notre Dame, and a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa from Mount Saint Mary’s University. 

Mr. Curtin has received numerous awards including the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice from Pope John Paul II in recognition of his work on behalf of the Catholic Church and the Benemerenti Medal from Pope Benedict XVI for outstanding and meritorious service to Catholic education.