As Jeremy Ekeler ‘97 returns to Pius X Catholic High School as Chief Administrative Officer, it isn’t just a professional move—it’s personal.
A graduate of Pius X, Ekeler brings a lifetime of Catholic education, a deep love for the mission, and a vision rooted in faith, formation, and family.
“This place is sacred ground to me,” he says. “It shaped who I am.”
Raised in Lincoln, Ekeler was steeped in Catholic values from a young age. His family lived and breathed their faith—not as a box to check, but as a daily pursuit of holiness.
“My parents made sure we understood that our faith wasn’t something we left at the church door,” he recalled. “It had to live in everything we did: school, work, relationships.”
That belief took root early and grew through his years as a student at Pius. Ekeler credits many of his teachers and coaches with teaching him more than academics. “They saw the whole person,” he said. “They helped form me intellectually, spiritually, and morally. That’s what Catholic education does when it’s at its best.”
After graduating from Pius, Ekeler pursued degrees in English and Education, followed by a Master’s in Leadership. But it was his time in the classroom—and later, in diocesan leadership—that shaped his sense of purpose. He taught English and coached at various Catholic schools, eventually working at the Nebraska Catholic Conference, where he advocated for education policy rooted in Church teaching.
“Whether I was in a classroom or the Capitol, the mission was the same: to support families and form students in Christ,” Ekeler said. “That thread has never left me.”
Returning to Pius in a leadership role is the fulfillment of a dream—though not one he always anticipated.
“I never imagined I’d be back here as CAO,” he admitted. “But the Holy Spirit works in quiet, persistent ways.”
In his new role as CAO, Ekeler oversees the operational side of the school—budgets, advancement, enrollment, and facilities—but he’s quick to remind people that his job is about people first.
“Everything we do should support the mission of forming disciples,” he said. “If we’re not putting kids and Christ at the center, then we’re missing the mark.”
That mission-centered leadership is something Ekeler lives daily. Whether he’s meeting with a donor, a teacher, or a student, his approach is the same: listen, love, and lead.
“Catholic schools are not just institutions—they’re communities. Families trust us with their children, and that’s a sacred responsibility,” he said. “Every decision we make, whether it’s a capital project or a curriculum review, has to reflect that trust.”
But leading through faith doesn’t mean avoiding hard choices. Ekeler believes strongly in transparency, accountability, and growth.
“The Gospel doesn’t call us to comfort. It calls us to excellence, to holiness, to conversion,” he said. “That applies to our schools, too. We have to be honest about where we are and bold about where we’re going.”
One of the most fulfilling parts of his work is helping students who don’t always see their own potential.
“I think of the student who might be struggling at home or in class,” he said. “And I remember that sometimes the smile you give them in the hallway is the only one they’ll get that day. We don’t always realize the power of our presence.”
That idea—that every interaction can be a God moment—is core to Ekeler’s philosophy.
It’s a belief shaped not just by his professional journey but also by his personal life. A husband and father, Ekeler often talks about the joys and challenges of raising a family in today’s world.
“My wife and I are raising our kids in the faith, and we’re navigating the same tensions every parent feels, between the culture and the Gospel, between busyness and being present,” he says. “That keeps me grounded.”
He also knows first-hand what it means to make sacrifices for Catholic education.
“My parents worked extra jobs to send us to Catholic school,” he shared. “I’ve never forgotten that. It’s part of why I fight so hard to make Catholic education accessible to more families.”
That fight continues at Pius, where Ekeler is focused on strengthening the school’s infrastructure, expanding financial aid, and building bridges between alumni and the next generation. But it’s not about dollars or buildings, it’s about legacy.
“This school has been forming saints for generations,” he says. “And I believe our best days are ahead of us.”
And while he’s not in the classroom full time anymore, he still finds time to mentor students, attend school events, and stay close to the daily rhythms of school life.
“I never want to lose touch with the heartbeat of the school,” he says. “Because that’s where the mission lives: in the halls, the classrooms, the chapel.”
One of his favorite moments from his return to Pius came early in the school year. A student approached him after Mass and asked for a blessing.
“It was so simple, so beautiful,” Ekeler recalled. “And I thought, ‘Yes, this is what we’re about’.”
As he looks to the future, Ekeler is full of hope and urgency. “We are living in a time when Catholic schools are more necessary than ever,” he said. “The world is noisy, divided, and uncertain. But our students are not meant to be of the world. They’re meant to be light in the darkness.”
That’s why he believes in forming “not just scholars, but saints.”
As Pius X Catholic High School begins a new chapter, one thing is clear: with Jeremy Ekeler as CAO, the mission is in faithful, passionate hands.
“I love this place, and I’m here to serve it.”
