Seekonk Public Schools Names Kathryn Manigan as New Dean of Athletics and Programs

Seekonk Public Schools has named Kathryn Manigan as the District’s new Dean of Athletics and Programs. (Photo Courtesy Seekonk Public Schools)

SEEKONK — Superintendent Rebecca Kidwell, Dr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle School Principal Alexis A. Bouchard and Seekonk High School Principal Dr. William V. Whalen III are pleased to announce that Seekonk Public Schools has named Kathryn “Kay” Manigan as the District’s new Dean of Athletics and Programs.

“I’m confident that with her experience, Kay will be a great fit,” said Dr. Whalen. “Not only will she make an excellent athletics director, but she’s also a qualified administrator. We had a lot of good candidates, but Kay stood out and seemed like a perfect fit for this role.”

Manigan will be working at the secondary level with both the high school and the middle school, leading Seekonk Public Schools’ Athletic Department and supporting students’ engagement in academic and extracurricular activities.

Dr. Whalen and Principal Bouchard served as chairs of the search committee that selected Manigan as a finalist. The committee included administrators, teachers, coaches, parents and School Committee representation.

“Kay was one of eight candidates we interviewed for the position,” said Principal Bouchard. “The pool was highly competitive, and what stood out with Kay was her professionalism, her practical experiences in her past athletic administrator role, and her commitment to student-athletes. We are excited to welcome Kay at the middle school as she will support the administration in overseeing the athletic program as well as various school events to ensure student participation and safety.”

Manigan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Film, Video and Interactive Media, with a Minor in Theater, from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. She also earned a Master of Secondary Education and her credentials as an Education Specialist in Educational Leadership from Bridgewater State University. She’s provisionally licensed as a Principal/Assistant Principal, with an initial license anticipated in the winter of 2025.

Manigan started in her new role in Seekonk on Tuesday, July 1.

Prior to joining the team in Seekonk, Manigan worked as a teacher at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School in South Easton for more than 11 years, teaching a wide variety of science courses including Chemistry, Earth and Space, Biology, and Sports Medicine.

She also served as the head coach of outdoor and indoor track and field at Southeastern, leading the boys program to its first league championship in over 26 years and the girls to their first-ever league championship in 2022.

Manigan assisted with coaching girls volleyball, field hockey, girls lacrosse, and girls basketball, and served as the assistant athletics and activities director at Southeastern for the last two years.

“I have played and coached so many sports in my life that it is hard to find one that I have not participated in or tried, but I also have a strong passion for the musical arts,” Manigan said. “I played piano, trumpet, and guitar growing up. I love to sing and minored in theater in college. I’m also an avid runner!”

In recent years, Manigan ran a marathon and multiple half-marathons.

“Staying active is so important, no matter your age,” she said. “I strongly believe the key to happiness and success in school is being involved and finding your passion or passions! I look forward to creating engaging and fun events for students, staff, families and community members. My goal is to help all find their home away from home as a Warrior!”

Earlier this year, Manigan was selected by the Southeastern administrative team to receive the district’s Outstanding Community Member Award.

“On behalf of Seekonk Public Schools, I’m pleased to welcome Kay Manigan to our district,” said Superintendent Kidwell. “Kay is a highly qualified teacher and coach, and we’re looking forward to productive collaborations between our athletics department, academics team, and the community as a whole. We’re excited to see what the future holds with Kay as an integral part of our team.”

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