Sister Sharon Slear, SSND, '61, has been named co-recipient of Notre Dame Preparatory School's 2025 Mother Caroline Friess Alumnae of the Year Award. She shares the honor with her fellow classmate, Peggy Mullan Greenman ’61.
The award was presented at the Jubilarian Liturgy and Luncheon held recently as part of Reunion Weekend. Attendees included fellow classmates from 1961, other Jubilarian alumnae, and the entire student body and faculty of the school.
NDP included the following biographical notes about Sister Sharon:
As a School Sister of Notre Dame and nationally recognized leader in education, Sister Sharon Slear has dedicated her life to empowering students, advancing academic excellence, and transforming Catholic education at every level. Her legacy is not only one of extraordinary achievement but of deep impact—touching the lives of thousands of students and educators across Maryland and beyond.
Holding a bachelor’s degree from what is now Notre Dame of Maryland University, a master’s degree in chemistry from Villanova University, and a doctorate in educational administration from Boston College, Sister Sharon grew up worshiping at St. Bernardine in West Baltimore, where she attended the parish school.
A lifelong educator, Sister Sharon played a vital role in the founding of Archbishop Keough High School, an all-girls Catholic school in Baltimore. She then went on to make history at Bishop Walsh High School in Cumberland, where she served as Vice Principal and became the school’s first female Athletic Director—a testament to her courage, leadership, and determination to break barriers.
In 1988, Sister Sharon was appointed to the faculty of Notre Dame of Maryland and charged with building graduate programs in education. What followed was a remarkable era of growth. Under her visionary leadership, Notre Dame expanded its educational offerings to include 11 master’s degrees, two Ph.D. programs, and 18 certification programs. She also oversaw the creation of the University’s first doctoral program: the Ph.D. in Instructional Leadership for Changing Populations—anticipating the evolving needs of diverse classrooms and communities.
When Notre Dame transitioned to university status in 2011, Sister Sharon was named the founding Dean of the School of Education. She also served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs—roles in which her leadership shaped the future of the institution and solidified Notre Dame’s place as a leader in Catholic higher education. She continues to serve in leadership roles both at Notre Dame of Maryland University and Notre Dame Prep.
In the classroom, Sister Sharon has taught across all divisions, mentoring students in administration, educational leadership, mathematics, computer science, and chemistry. Many of her former students have gone on to become recognized leaders and award-winning educators themselves.
Her accolades are numerous and well-earned: she is a three-time recipient of Maryland’s Top 100 Women award and a member of the Maryland Circle of Excellence. In 2009, she was named NCEA Educator of the Year, and in 2012, she received the President’s Medal from Notre Dame of Maryland University.
Today, we honor Sister Sharon Slear for her extraordinary contributions to Catholic education—not just for what she has accomplished, but for the lives she has changed and the path she has paved for future educators and leaders.
