Henrico, VA, June 16, 2025—The Institute for Catholic Liberal Education (ICLE) announces the appointment of Dr. Ryan Messmore as President of the rapidly growing non-profit organization that serves the renewal of PK-12 Catholic schools.
Dr. Messmore succeeds Michael Van Hecke, who is also President of the Catholic Textbook Project (CTP). Due to the growth of both ICLE and CTP, Van Hecke is stepping away to lead the textbook company in a full-time role. Messmore and Van Hecke have been working together for several weeks to ensure a smooth change of leadership.
Messmore joined ICLE last July as Director of its Catholic Educator Formation and Credential program, the nation’s first alternative teacher licensure program that is based entirely in the Catholic intellectual tradition. He brings to his new role a broad range of educational leadership and teaching experience grounded in a theological framework. He previously served as President of Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts in New Hampshire and as President of Campion College in Australia. Dr. Messmore has also worked as Senior Fellow at The Heritage Foundation, Executive Director of the Millis Institute (Australia), and Assistant Headmaster for Academic Affairs at St. David’s School, in Raleigh, NC. He earned a D.Phil. in Theology from the University of Oxford, an M.Phil. in Theology from the University of Cambridge, an M.T.S. from Duke Divinity School, and an A.B. in Public Policy and Religion from Duke University.
“I have appreciated working with Mike Van Hecke during this transition time, and I look forward to serving ICLE in my new role,” said Dr. Ryan Messmore. “I am honored to work with such a talented team, who, by the Grace of God, are leading the renewal of Catholic education in America.”
Van Hecke said, “It is with great gratitude that I hand over the official leadership of ICLE to Dr. Ryan Messmore as I turn my full attention to the exciting new projects at CTP. I am deeply grateful to the Lord and to Dr. Messmore for his humble willingness to be the next servant leader of this beautiful and crucial ministry.”
Elisabeth Sullivan, ICLE’s Executive Director, said the staff has appreciated Van Hecke’s prayerful guidance. “We are excited to see how Mike’s leadership of CTP’s expansion can boost Catholic schools.” She added, “ICLE’s next chapter is in excellent hands with Dr. Messmore, whose deeply theological outlook on education is emblematic of our mission.”
The Institute for Catholic Liberal Education is dedicated to saving and renewing Catholic schools by restoring and adapting the Church’s time-tested approach in the classical liberal arts and sciences. ICLE serves educators, schools and dioceses through conferences, workshops, site visits, teacher training, an alternative licensure program, publications, webinars, and consultation services designed to give current and future teachers both theory and practice for immediate use.