An all-girls liberal arts education rooted in the spirituality of Opus Dei is dear to the heart of Dean of Students Mrs. Liz Rolwes not just because of her role of enriching the student experience here at Oakcrest, but because she herself attended a school with a similar mission. Montrose School is a sister school of Oakcrest located in Boston, Massachusetts. 

Along with other groups of parents in their community, Mrs. Rolwes’s parents were among those who helped bring Montrose to life. She explains that her years there were very beloved. 

“As a student I was really invested,” Mrs. Rolwes said. “I was a three-season athlete, participated in student council, was the president of my class, student body secretary, and then student body president. I loved Montrose, I received a great education and have lifelong friends with whom I still keep in touch, some of whom are the godparents of my children. The sisterhood that came out of Montrose is something that I treasure.” 

After graduating from Montrose, Mrs. Rolwes studied at the University of Navarre in Pamplona, Spain before attending the University of Dallas where she met her husband. They returned to Massachusetts and Mrs. Rolwes graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. 

Her family settled in St. Louis, Missouri for the next two decades, while Mrs. Rolwes raised her six children, ran leadership programs for high school students, and helped organize and run summer camps. 

“I helped serve in Family Enrichment both on the board and with organizing programs, and have spoken nationally for the International Federation of Family Development, whose mission is to help parents,” she added. 

In raising her family, Mrs. Rolwes says, “I’ve loved raising my children. I get a big kick out of young people! I jump right in—whether it’s coaching their sports teams or simply playing together, the more the merrier. Over the years, I’ve learned a great deal from raising a young family, of course. However, one of the more important lessons, especially for my current role, is that young people have an incredible capacity for generosity, especially when they feel connected to something greater than themselves.”

Desiring to move closer to extended family, the Rolwes family moved to the Northern Virginia area and with some close friend connections to Oakcrest, Mrs. Rolwes knew it was a special place from the moment she set foot on campus. 

"From the moment I walked into Oakcrest, it felt familiar," Mrs. Rolwes says. "The mission here, which is reflected in everything we do, is so similar to that of my own high school. Oakcrest truly feels like home. I'm grateful to be part of a school that can hopefully impact students the same way my high school shaped me. This is quite compelling."

Mrs. Rolwes first joined the Theology department before stepping into the role as Dean of Students in the 2023-2024 school year. 

"The role of Dean of Students carries immense responsibility," she says. "As such, I have my eyes and heart on what is best for each student—not just within the hallways of Oakcrest, but also in her journey through adolescence and into young adulthood. I am humbled and grateful to serve in this role."

That involves growth in all areas, Mrs. Rolwes continues, adding that she and her team work to provide ways for students to be active members of the community, and to “enrich their life and their experience at Oakcrest.” 

"My hope is that every girl who walks through these doors feels a sense of belonging," she says. "Each student is unique, and we offer a wide range of opportunities for them to engage. Our aim is to inspire genuine joy with a strong sense of community. The joy here is contagious."

"We are striving for virtue at Oakcrest.  As such, we are committed to an environment of freedom where students have the opportunity to choose what is good. In order to grow in virtue, one must have freedom, it's the only way.” Mrs. Rolwes said.