Administration

Karl Sjolund's passion for the boarding school model of education began with his own experience as a boarding student at Virginia Episcopal School (VES). When his tenure at SAS began in 2016, he brought a lifetime of experience of living and working in boarding schools.

Mr. Sjolund formerly led Salem Academy, a boarding and day school, like SAS, with both an essential church affiliation and a reciprocal relationship with its neighboring college. He spent 20 years at VES where he served in a wide range of administrative positions, taught, and coached. An active leader in the field of education, he is former treasurer of the board of North Carolina Association of Independent Schools and former advisory board member of World View at UNC Chapel Hill. Mr. Sjolund earned an M.A. in Private School Leadership through Columbia University's prestigious Klingenstein Fellows program. He received his B.A. in Economics at Virginia Military Institute, which he attended on a Division-I baseball scholarship.

Mr. Sjolund is a man of great faith, confirmed in the Episcopal Church, and committed to the Episcopal educational model that values diversity in culture and thought. His faith, honesty, and thoughtfulness are in keeping with the best leadership that SAS has enjoyed. He and his wife, Susan, reside on the SAS campus with their Golden Retriever, Daisy.

Robert Black is our new Director of Enrollment Management. Robert's experience in independent schools began as a student at Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA) in Nashville, TN, which led him to a career in teaching, coaching, and administrative leadership. He has served in a number of roles, both on the secondary and collegiate levels. At TMI Episcopal School, Robert served as an Athletic Director, Head Football Coach, Head Baseball Coach, and he also taught English. He then returned to MBA in 2002 where he taught English, coached football and became the Director of Admission and Financial Aid until 2007 when he left Nashville for the University of the South in Sewanee. Since arriving in Sewanee, Robert has served as the Head Football Coach at the University, an Advancement Officer, a Director of Major and Special Gifts, and his most recent role as an Associate Vice President.  Robert is also the father of two SAS graduates, Aubrey '18 and Jenna '21, and, of course, the husband of our Associate Head and Academic Dean, Mrs. Kelley Black. Robert holds a B.A. from the University of the South and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Concordia University.

Jane comes to us with a wealth of experience as a chief financial officer. Over the course of her career, she has worked at both Oak Hill School and JPII High School in Nashville, Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, Tennessee, the Westminster Schools of Augusta, Georgia, and the Lutheran Education Association of Houston, Texas.  She has served on the board of MISBO and was president of the Nashville Association of Independent School Business Officers. Jane earned her BS in management and ethics at Williamson Christian College and her M.Ed. in Educational Administration at Hope International University.  

Lesley Cole joined SAS as Director of Advancement in 2018. She has an extensive background in the non-profit and corporate sectors. As Director of Development for Oglethorpe University, she helped to set the strategic direction for the Development and Alumni Relations department. During her tenure, Oglethorpe successfully concluded major campaigns of $50 million and $20 million. In her previous position as Director of the Annual Fund at Oglethorpe, Lesley managed multiple record-setting Annual Funds. Before joining Oglethorpe, she served as Lakeview Academy's Director of Development and managed domestic and international projects for National Data Corporation. Lesley is a member of the Rotary Club of Monteagle-Sewanee and serves on the District III Cabinet for CASE, the global non-profit association serving advancement professionals. She enjoys travel, hiking and is currently working on her first novel.

Leah has a wealth of experience in Marketing and Communications.  She has worked with local firms like Yogi’s Promopromo in Chattanooga and larger organizations such as Dillard Paper Company and the United States Air Force at Arnold AFB.  Leah provides administrative, technical, and operational support in all areas of marketing at Arnold AFB.  She is also a Private Remediator for children with reading disabilities.  She has two Orton Gillingham Certifications in both Reading and Math, and she still finds time to build and fly airplanes!  She earned her B.S. in Communications from University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and she and her family live in Winchester, TN. 

In addition to her role as Chaplain, Mother Short teaches Introduction to Religious Studies. She was formerly Lead House Parent in Warner House and served as SAS's liaison to regional Episcopal churches. She and her family live on campus.