Department: Admin/Staff
Jennifer MacDonald
jmacdonald@sfprep.orgLibrary Assistant. Jen is originally from Massachusetts and has lived in Santa Fe for the past 16 years. She received her BS in pharmacy from the University of Connecticut. After working as a pharmacist, Jen has most recently been working and volunteering in Santa Fe schools. In her free time, Jen enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling (especially to beaches) with her husband, Rob, and their three daughters: Kelly (class of ’26), Audrey (’27), and Nicole (’29).
Department(s)
Jennifer Dryfoos
jdryfoos@sfprep.orgRegistrar. Jennifer moved from New York City to Santa Fe in 1998 when she first worked at Santa Fe Prep as College Counselor. After twenty five years in that field (including at Monte del Sol in Santa Fe and Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School in Albuquerque) and many years as Registrar at Desert Academy, she is thrilled to be returning to Santa Fe Prep in a new capacity. Jennifer has an undergraduate degree from Smith College and a master’s degree from Harvard University.
Department(s)
Michael McNeill
mmcneill@sfprep.orgDirector of Advancement. Michael holds a MA and PhD in French Literature from Princeton University as well as a BA from Colgate University and has vast experience in independent schools as a teacher of French and Latin both in NYC and in Denver, Colorado where he served as foreign language department chair at Kent Denver School. Michael became the Director of Development at Kent Denver in 2006 and grew a successful career as an advancement professional and non-profit fundraiser for The American School in Paris, The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, and La Napoule Art Foundation. Michael has also served on many non-profit boards, including: Breakthrough Kent Denver; The Art Students League of Denver; The Anchor Center for Blind Children; and The Joshua School for Autistic Children. When not at work, Michael enjoys cooking and baking, playing classical piano, and doing crossword puzzles with his two standard poodles, Walter and Bill.
Department(s)
Rebecca Allahyari
rallahyari@sfprep.orgLearning Specialist, Grades 10-12. Rebecca has a BA in political science from Swarthmore College and a Ph.D. in sociology with an emphasis in Feminist Theory and Research Methods from the University of California, Davis. She has taught anthropology, religious studies, and American Studies courses at various universities and has recently been a tutor and then Associate Director of the Library at Santa Fe Prep. Rebecca completed a six-year term on the Santa Fe Public Library Advisory Board. Her son Jeremy Brooks graduated from Prep in 2014, and her daughter Lila Brooks in 2015.
Department(s)
Summar Aubrey
saubrey@sfprep.orgAssociate Director of Admissions, Co-Director of Tuition Assistance, Director of the EE Ford Summer Teachers’ Colloquium. Summar Aubrey was born and raised in Santa Fe and graduated from Santa Fe Prep in 2000. She earned her BA in History from Yale University and her MA in Teaching Social Studies from Columbia University, Teachers College. Summar returned to Prep in 2019 after working in education in California for many years. She was Dean of Students at Sonoma Academy in Santa Rosa, Director of Student Life for the Stanford University Online High School, and taught world history while serving as the Assistant Director of the Middle School at Chadwick School in Palos Verdes. Summar loves exploring New Mexico with her family and is well practiced in the art of camping with kids under 5.
Department(s)
Ambrose Ferber
aferber@sfprep.orgAssociate Director of Technology, Technology and Engineering Department Chair, Acting, Speech and Debate. A native New Mexican born in Placitas, Ambrose graduated from Prep in 1993 and earned a BFA in graphic design from Colorado State University. He worked professionally for over 15 years as a production artist, designer, art director, web developer, video editor, web standards guru, and copywriter before becoming a teacher— but now can’t imagine doing anything else. In addition to art, design, and code, Ambrose is an accomplished stage actor and working stunt performer.
Department(s)
John Utsey
jutsey@sfprep.orgDirector of Technology. John is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. After leaving the Marines he spent 15 years managing the Data Center at the National Center for Genome Resources, a local Santa Fe genetics research institute. He joined Prep in the summer of 2013. John spends his free time with his wife and two children camping, geocaching, and motorcycling.
Department(s)
Catherine McKenzie
cmckenzie@sfprep.orgDirector of Library Services, Instructional Technologist. Catherine has a BA in geography from San Francisco State University and an MLS from Indiana University. Prior to coming to Santa Fe Prep, Catherine directed library and technology services at schools in St. Louis and Washington, DC. She has also worked in software development and at independent bookstores in St. Louis and Atlanta. Catherine is currently serving on the AISL board as secretary. In her free time, Catherine enjoys reading, tennis, and being outside.
Department(s)
Mary Little
mlittle@sfprep.orgDirector of Admissions and Marketing. Originally from Connecticut, Mary made the trip west after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history from Denison University. She joined the admissions office at Santa Fe Prep in 2012. Mary points to the energy on campus, the tight-knit community, and the wide variety of academic and extracurricular opportunities available to students as school strengths. She enjoys meeting with prospective students and families as they explore middle and upper school options in Santa Fe. In addition to her work in admissions, Mary also serves as Director of Marketing. Mary’s professional background is in business administration and management. Prior to joining Prep, Mary owned and operated Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works with her husband, Kent. Mary and Kent have two children, both of whom graduated from Santa Fe Prep. Mary loves to run, hike, ski, and share time with her family in her spare time.
Department(s)
Todd Kurth
tkurth@sfprep.orgDirector of Athletics. Todd has been a classroom teacher (math and biology) and multi-sport coach for over thirty years in both day and boarding schools in New Hampshire, the D.C. area, the United Kingdom, and New Mexico. He has coached football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, baseball, and diving. In 2001, he was named the New Mexico State Coach of the Year for soccer. Todd serves on the New Mexico Activities Association by-laws committee and has acted as District Chairman throughout his career. Born and raised in Santa Fe, he was valedictorian for the class of 1981 at Santa Fe Prep and received a Bachelor of Arts in biology from Williams College. Todd is an avid cyclist and outdoor enthusiast.
Department(s)
Melissa Fricek
mfricek@sfprep.orgExecutive Assistant to the Head of School. A California native, Melissa has a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history from California State University Fullerton. Her professional background is in art and education, and she has worked for public and independent schools in California and New Mexico. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring photography, travel, hiking, and cooking.