New Faculty/Staff Join Rockhurst Community

Rockhurst High School is excited to welcome 10 new faculty/staff members for the 2025-26 academic year. Learn more about each of these Hawklet educators below.

 

Andra Bessenbacher officially joined the Rockhurst community in 2012 as a Rock Mom, and now joins the faculty/staff ranks in 2025. She and her husband (Steve ’86) have three sons who are now alumni: Patrick ’16, Michael ’20, and Brian ’23. Mrs. Bessenbacher is from McLean, VA and came to the Midwest to earn degrees from both Mizzou and KU; holding Masters in Teaching and Leadership, as well as a Certificate in Building Administration K-12. She has recently taught at Prince of Peace Catholic School in Olathe, and will teach Freshman Theology here at RHS. She is also Coach Bessenbacher, as she joined the Swim & Dive staff as an assistant coach in 2024 and will continue her work with the AquaHawks.

 

Mark Blanck ’98 returned to his alma mater (again) in December 2024, and will begin his first full year serving as the Vice President of Philanthropy & Engagement. Mr. Blanck previously worked in Rockhurst’s Advancement Office (now P&E) from 2010-2020 as the Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, and then Director of Major Gifts. He went on to continue his educational fundraising efforts at UMKC as the Director of Major Gift, Health Sciences and the University of Saint Mary as the Vice President of Advancement. Mr. Blanck is excited to be back at The Rock, working to make the Rockhurst experience possible for more young men. 

 

Jason Britsch, SJ, comes to Rockhurst as another member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). He hails from New Orleans, LA and graduated from Jesuit High School before attending the University of Dallas. Mr. Britsch then returned to New Orleans Jesuit to teach English, serve as the Capital Campaign Coordinator, and assist in campus ministry as a member of the Alumni Service Corps (ASC). He made the decision to join the Jesuits as a Novice in 2020. Earlier this year, he earned his Masters in Philosophy. At Rockhurst, Mr. Britsch will teach Scripture I & II and volunteer with Pastoral Ministry and the Hurtado Scholars Program.

Doug Bruce ’67 is back for his third stint as a Rockhurst teacher! Coach Bruce is a lifetime educator, as he began his high school teaching and coaching career in 1971 at Bishop LeBlond High School in St. Joseph, MO. He made his way to Kansas City in 1975, serving Bishop Ward High School until 1978 when he joined The Rock. He stayed with us until 2007, undertaking roles as Math teacher, Head Basketball Coach, Assistant Track & Field Coach, and Athletic Director throughout his three decades. Coach Bruce then moved to Colorado and taught at Vail Christian High School until 2020. He returned to KC and rejoined the RHS Math Department as a part-time teacher for the 2021-22 school year. Next was a year of part-time teaching at St. James Academy in 2024-25, and now he’s back at The Rock part-time teaching two AP Calculus AB classes.

 

Fr. Stephen Kramer, SJ, was announced as the new Principal at Rockhurst High School in March, following Fr. Vincent Giacabazi, SJ, being named the new President at Jesuit High School in Tampa, FL. He is a product of St. Louis, graduating from St. Louis University High School and then SLU with a degree in Philosophy and Letters, and later earned Masters degrees from Boston College in Divinity and Theology with a focus on Ignatian Studies. Fr. Kramer has served in a variety of roles in his 18 years in the Society of Jesus, most recently as the Prefect of Students and Special Assistant to the President of Jesuit High School in New Orleans, LA, as well as a teacher of Theology, History, and Mathematics. He joined the Rockhurst community in July following his Tertianship program (Jesuit formation) in Nairobi, Kenya. 

 

Sandra McHenry began her work in the Business Office as the Controller and Director of Finance Aid in November 2024, and looks forward to her first full school year at Rockhurst. Ms. McHenry is from Harrisonville and attended UMKC for her Accounting degree. She joins RHS from C K Enterprises, Inc. where she was the Controller and oversaw responsibilities of month-end close, journal entry preparation, account analysis, and explanation of variances. Ms. McHenry has over 30 years of accounting experience, and is greatly enjoying her first role within a school.

 

Mary Catherine Newman is another familiar face here at The Rock. Mrs. Newman served as a College Counselor at Rockhurst High School from 2001-2007, after previously working in Admissions at William Jewell College; she had also earned her Communication degree from Jewell. Following her time in RHS College Counseling, Mrs. Newman turned to being a full-time mom, which included raising Evan ’25. Now, after Evan is off to college, Mrs. Newman returns as a School Counselor. Of note, she recently went back to school to earn her Masters in Social Work in 2024. Mrs. Newman also plans to be involved with student retreat and service opportunities.

 

Martin Radosevic, Jr. ’16 returns to his alma mater nine years after graduating from The Rock; he fills the school’s new role of Director of Community Engagement within the Philanthropy & Engagement Team. A football and baseball player for the Hawklets, Mr. Radosevic went on to play baseball at Baker University and then West Virginia Wesleyan College while earning his Bachelors in Sports Administration and Masters in Business Administration. His professional work includes Director of Sports Information at West Virginia Wesleyan, and Assistant AD of Athletic Communications at both Fairmont State University and University of Louisiana Monroe. In his Rock role, Mr. Radosevic will elevate the student experience by creating relationships with Rockhurst parents, alumni, and the external community.

 

Steve Redmond ’04 had a great Rockhurst experience as a student, and wants all young men across Kansas City to have the same opportunity. Mr. Redmond is the new Co-Director of Admissions and Marketing, alongside Ms. Beth Van Dyke. Mr. Redmond was a standout student-athlete at The Rock and went on to play football at the University of Missouri where he earned his General Studies degree. He comes back to Rockhurst following a variety of career experiences, including real estate, small business operator, coach, and mentor. Most recently, he was a Specialized Teaching Assistant at Lakeview Middle School in the Park Hill School District. Mr. Redmond looks forward to offering his wisdom and perspective to the admissions process – and notes that his door is always open.

 

Greta Sonnenberg carries a name very familiar to the Rockhurst community – as countless Sonnenberg men have attended The Rock, dating all the way back to the 1920s. However, Ms. Sonnenberg is excited to be the first in her lineage to teach at Rockhurst. She attended St. Teresa’s Academy before earning her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Music Education at the University of Missouri. Ms. Sonnenberg joins Rockhurst’s extensive Fine & Performing Arts Department as the Assistant Choral Director. She most recently served as the Vocal Music teacher at Fire Prairie Upper Elementary. Ms. Sonnenberg’s dad, Gus ’90, was Rockhurst’s Director of Gift Planning and then Director of Development from 2007-2022.