Marquette University High School announced today that the Rev. Michael Marco, S.J., will conclude his service as president at the end of the current school year, after a decade of transformative leadership. 

Father Marco will be embarking on his next mission with the Midwest Province, and the Board of Directors is launching a national search for our next president immediately.

Father Marco, who became the 11th president of MUHS in 2016, has guided the school through a decade of growth and success.

The Very Rev. Karl Kiser, S.J., Provincial of the Midwest Jesuits, expressed his sincere gratitude to Father Marco for his exemplary leadership of Marquette High and his continued willingness to put himself in service to the Church.

During Father Marco’s tenure, MUHS achieved numerous milestones and advanced its reputation for excellence. Early in his presidency, he oversaw the completion of the Companions on the Journey capital campaign, which funded major campus improvements – including a new three-story addition and a student commons that enhanced the school’s facilities. 

Thanks to generous supporters and Father Marco’s leadership, the campaign exceeded its $40 million goal, raising approximately $40.8 million to support capital improvements and scholarship endowments. This effort expanded student opportunities and helped ensure financial accessibility to an MUHS education, reflecting Father Marco’s commitment to the school’s Jesuit mission of educating “Men for Others.”

Under Father Marco, Marquette High also earned prestigious honors. Notably, MUHS was recognized as an Exemplary High-Performing National Blue Ribbon School in 2021 by the U.S. Department of Education – the only Wisconsin high school to receive that honor in 2021. This national award highlighted the school’s academic excellence and the collaborative hard work of its students, faculty and community.

Marquette High has continued to excel in academics, athletics, and service during Father Marco’s tenure, consistently ranking among the top Catholic schools in the region. Father Marco has also fostered a warm, inclusive community spirit at MUHS. He greets students at the door each morning and cheers on Hilltoppers at games, concerts, and campus events, reflecting his personal dedication to cura personalis – care for each individual student.

“We are profoundly grateful for Father Marco’s leadership over the past ten years,” said the Chair of the MUHS Board of Directors, Sharon deGuzman. “He has strengthened every aspect of Marquette High – from faith formation and academics to expanding our campus and resources. He guided us through significant milestones, always keeping our Jesuit values at the forefront. His positive impact on our school will be felt for generations of Hilltoppers to come.”

In addition to his accomplishments at MUHS, Father Marco brought extensive experience to the role. A native of Nebraska, he first came to Marquette High as a young Jesuit scholastic teaching theology and psychology from 1989 to 1992. After ordained ministry and other leadership roles, he returned “home” to MUHS to assume the presidency in 2016. 

“It has been the privilege of my life to serve this incredible community,” Father Marco said. “Marquette High is a special place – a place of faith, brotherhood and excellence. I have been blessed to work alongside such dedicated faculty, staff, and Jesuits, and to know so many talented young men and their families. While I will miss being here every day, I know that the school’s mission is stronger than ever. I will always be a Hilltopper at heart.”

Father Marco will continue to serve as president of MUHS through the remainder of the 2025–26 school year, ensuring a smooth finish to the academic year and assisting with the transition. The MUHS Board of Directors is launching a search for the next president effective immediately. Details on the search process will be shared with the school community in the coming weeks. 

Marquette University High School will host opportunities in the coming months for students, parents, alumni and friends to celebrate Father Marco’s legacy and thank him for his service.