Detroit Catholic Central High School is pleased to announce a thoughtful leadership transition and long-term succession plan that strengthens its mission of forming young men in Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge. The plan builds on the school’s strong foundation and prepares Catholic Central for continued growth in alignment with the Basilian Fathers’ vision.

Mitch Hancock ’00 has been appointed Assistant Principal for the 2025-2026 school year. Mr. Hancock brings almost 20 years of experience at Catholic Central, where he has served as a teacher, coach, and Dean of Students. During the upcoming school year, he will work closely under the guidance of current Principal Fr. Patrick Fulton, CSB, in preparation to assume the role of Principal beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

Fr. Fulton—who will complete his seventh year as Principal in the 2025-26 school year—will remain at Catholic Central, transitioning into a newly created leadership role as Vice President of Mission and Spirituality. Established by the Basilian Fathers, this position ensures that Fr. Fulton will continue to serve and guide the Catholic Central community in the years ahead.

The creation of the Vice President of Mission and Spirituality role is part of a broader initiative by the Congregation of St. Basil known as the Basilian Network for Education and the New Evangelization (BNENE), and will be a position in three of their Canadian/American high schools. Established in 2015, BNENE is dedicated to preparing, inspiring, and empowering every educator in a Basilian school to form students for a faith-filled life of service, fidelity, and love. Through ongoing formation of school leaders, staff, students, and the broader school community, deep engagement with Church teachings, and collaboration across Basilian schools, this initiative ensures that the Basilian mission - centered on teaching goodness, discipline, and knowledge - remains vibrant and at the heart of Catholic education.

As part of this transition, Matt Lewis has been named Dean of Students for the 2025-2026 school year. Mr. Lewis served this past year as Assistant Dean of Students under Mr. Hancock and is well-prepared to step into his new role.

“This is a natural and exciting next step for Catholic Central,” said School President Ed Turek ’85. “We are ensuring a smooth transition by investing in the growth of leaders who already know and live our mission. At the same time, we are honoring the Basilian tradition that has shaped this school for nearly a century.”

“Catholic Central has shaped who I am—as a father, husband, teacher, coach, and leader,” said Mitch Hancock ’00. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue learning from Fr. Fulton in the year ahead as we approach this transition with prayerful and thoughtful intention. I am both humbled and honored to serve as the first lay Principal of Catholic Central, keeping Jesus Christ and our Shamrock students at the forefront of every decision we make. I want to reassure our community that the Basilian Fathers are not stepping back; rather, they will continue to lead in a new capacity—one that allows for an even deeper and more focused expression of their vocation as educators and spiritual leaders. This model is already flourishing at other Basilian-led schools, including St. Thomas High School in Houston and St. Michael’s College School in Toronto, where a lay principal works in partnership with a Basilian serving as Vice President of Mission and Spirituality. I look forward to working closely with the Basilian Fathers in the years to come as we carry forward our cherished tradition of forming young men in the Basilian motto: Teach me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge."