Dr. Tim Healey graduated from James Madison University in 1989 with a B.A. in English and certification to teach through the College of Education. He was an active member of Sigma Pi Fraternity and named a J.M.U. Emerging Leader. Dr. Healey received a master’s degree in educational administration from Virginia Tech and he earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies also from Virginia Tech.

Dr. Healey is in his 32nd-year working in public education. During his career he has been a high school English teacher, assistant principal, principal, and an associate superintendent. Currently, he is the principal of Colgan High School in Prince William County, opening the school in 2016.

Dr. Healey is the President of the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals and has served on its Board of Directors since 2016.

Dr. Healey has been an Adjunct Professor at the University of Mary Washington in the College of Education, teaching both graduate and undergraduate level courses. He has also co-authored two books on the ninth-grade transition and written articles for Principal Leadership, The Education Digest, and Our Children magazines. Dr. Healey has been a presenter for the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the National School Boards Association.

Dr. Healey is married, and his wife, Nicole ('90) is also in public education as a high school teacher. Together, they have three children (ages 23, 21, and 18), all of whom have a lot of purple clothing.

Why do you give back to JMU? 

"My time at JMU is special to me. JMU gave me the foundation to be an excellent educator and developed me as a human being. I continue to feel a deep connection to the university. JMU is a special place and there is a unique bond amongst all those associated with the school. The College of Education is the premier school in the nation preparing young teachers to positively change the lives of their students. I want to support this mission in any way that I can."