November 12, 2025
PA alumna chosen to lead Exeter
Jennifer Karlen Elliott ’94, P’22, ’24, ’26, begins tenure July 1Jennifer Karlen Elliott ’94, P’22, ’24, ’26, is #AndoverforLife; now she will have to share her allegiance to Big Blue with her new responsibilities at Big Red.
Earlier this week, Phillips Exeter Academy announced Elliott as the 17th principal, succeeding Bill Rawson who is retiring in June 2026. Elliott officially begins her new role July 1, 2026.
Elliott is currently head of student and academic life at Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut, a position she has held for the past three years.
“I am a student-centered leader who has deep respect and admiration for the educators who commit themselves to the growth and care of young people," Elliott remarked in the PEA announcement. "Schools are living communities dedicated to the changing needs of our students."
Prior to Choate, she served for 12 years at Andover—as a history teacher, girls’ varsity squash coach, cluster dean, assistant head of school for residential life, and dean of students, and a PA parent.
In the formal announcement from Exeter on Nov. 10, PEA Trustee President Kristyn Van Ostern called Elliott a “teacher at heart” who “understands the demands of leadership in residential education, finds joy and purpose in working with adolescents, and has indicated a strong commitment to upholding the Academy’s mission while leading us into the future.”
This sentiment was echoed by several who worked with Elliott at PA, including former head of school John Palfrey P’21, who said there is no better candidate for the job. "I am so excited for her, her whole family, and for the Exeter community," said Palfrey, who also happens to be an Exeter alumnus. "A generation of brilliant, diverse students is going to be very fortunate to have Jenny Elliott as their principal."
Elliott with her former squash team at Andover.
Kate Dolan P’11, ’15, has known Elliott as both a student and a colleague. In a 2022 Andover magazine story about Elliott’s departure from PA, Dolan—currently an instructor in athletics and head field hockey coach—shared the following: “Jenny is fierce—the positive kind of fierce—with her commitment to everyone in the Dean of Students Office, to her classes, to her team, to Andover. She cares deeply and unwaveringly ….”
Top photo courtesy of Phillips Exeter Academy
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