Collegiate Names New Middle School Head

Collegiate School announced today the appointment of the next Head of Middle School, Mr. Tung Trinh. He will begin his new responsibilities on July 1, 2019.
According to Head of School Steve Hickman, who shared the announcement with Collegiate constituents this morning, the Head of Middle School search was national in reach and comprehensive in scope, and Mr. Trinh “was the overwhelming choice of every group who had the opportunity to meet with him.”

Mr. Hickman also shared that incoming Head of School, Penny B. Evins, who also begins her tenure on July 1, 2019, participated in Mr. Trinh’s selection and fully supports his appointment.

“Having spent the entirety of his professional career in middle schools, it is clear that Tung loves working with middle school students and teachers,” Mr. Hickman said. “As he said often during his visit to Collegiate, he cannot imagine doing anything else. Tung was attracted to Collegiate because of our School’s core values and how those values align so closely with his own.”

Mr. Trinh comes to Collegiate from Garrison Forest School in Baltimore, Maryland, where he has served for the past four years as the Head of Middle School. Prior to assuming his duties as Head of Middle School, he served for several years as Garrison’s Middle School Dean of Students. Before coming to Garrison, Mr. Trinh led the Middle School History Department and taught history at Shore Country Day School in Beverly, Massachusetts. He also has coached both boys and girls in various sports, including basketball, softball and cross country. Mr. Trinh holds a B.A. from Bowdoin College and a M.Ed. from Lesley University.

Current Middle School Head Charlie Blair, who retires on June 30, 2019 after 40 years of service to Collegiate, is excited to welcome Mr. Trinh and will be supportive during Mr. Trinh’s transition.

“I could not be more pleased for Collegiate,” said Mr. Blair. “Tung’s love of working with Middle School-age children was evident starting with our first meeting. He really understands the importance of community, and that strong relationships between students and students and teachers, form the basis for that. Tung also brings an extensive knowledge of curriculum that will enhance the Middle School as we refine and extend our programs.”

Mr. Trinh’s wife, Ashley Clevenger Trinh, is a ’99 Collegiate School alumna and fellow educator. A self-described Collegiate lifer, Mrs. Trinh has spoken often with her husband about her time at Collegiate, especially the relationships that helped shape her. Here’s some of what Mr. Trinh shared about his wife’s Collegiate experience: “With guidance from teachers, advisors and coaches to lifelong friendships with fellow graduates, Collegiate still holds a special place in Ashley’s heart despite being away from Richmond for nearly 20 years.”

The Trinhs, and their two young children, are looking forward to joining (and returning to) the Collegiate community.
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