Kelly Goodsell

Parent, Class of ‘26, ‘28

Dr. Kelly Goodsell is a distinguished educator and dynamic, collaborative leader, currently serving as the President of Bellarmine Preparatory School in Tacoma, Washington. Appointed to the presidency in 2023, Dr. Goodsell is the first woman in history to serve in this role.

Previously, Dr. Goodsell was the Director of Bellarmine’s Academic Center of Excellence, a role in which she created, executed, and expanded a multifaceted program offering pathways of scholarship and support to all students. Rooted in her lifelong commitment to a focus on holistic education, she believes, “At Bellarmine, students can choose whatever pathway that gives them purpose and passion; we just want our students to live lives inspired by our Jesuit values.”

Dr. Goodsell was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon attending Catholic school with her three brothers. While attending Pacific Lutheran University, she was introduced to the Tacoma area, as well as her husband, David. Following her undergraduate degree, she spent time on an AmeriCorps assignment on the South Side of Chicago. She returned to Eugene to earn her Master’s in Special Education from the University of Oregon and then her Doctorate from Seattle University in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Organizational Systems Design.

Additionally, Dr. Goodsell was a Center for Juvenile Justice Reform Fellow at Georgetown University, studying multi-system integration of care for underserved students. Her collaborative work with multisystem involved youth was honored as a Bright Idea Innovation through the Ash Center at the Harvard Kennedy School for Democratic Governance and Innovation. She also holds a Universal Design for Learning Certificate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Dr. Goodsell has worked in various positions with the Puget Sound Educational Service District where she rose to the role of Executive Director. Prior to working at the Puget Sound Educational Service District, she spent time with the Tacoma and Puyallup School Districts. Working with under-served students and families has been an integral part of Dr. Goodsell’s work, and she has a deep passion and expertise for college readiness and success.  

Dr. Goodsell resides in Fircrest, Washington with her husband and four sons, two of which currently attend Bellarmine, B'26 and B'28.