New Faculty Feature | Ms. Chen and Ms. Corniell

Ms. Cynthia Chen went to LaGuardia High School, where she explored different types of art making, and art has always been the subject that captivated her the most. She earned her degree in sculpture at RISD and recently completed her MFA in sculpture at Hunter College. 

Ms. Chen is drawn to Cathedral High School’s mission of empowering and inspiring young women to reach their full potential, and she shares, “I aim to help students become more aware of the significance of the choices they make in their work, understand what informs those choices, and discover new areas to explore.” She also hopes to learn what matters most to the students and how to guide them in creating impactful work for themselves and our community. 

Her ideal day “starts with a full breakfast—fresh coffee, scrambled eggs, and toast. I’d spend time with friends or family, either hiking outside the city or visiting a museum, and then grab a meal at a new spot we’re eager to try. The day would end with us chatting late into the evening, to a point where we struggle to say goodbye.”


Ms. Maria Jose Corniell grew up in the Dominican Republic and studied psychology at NYU with a clinical and research focus—this focus helps her to understand human behavior and herself. She hopes to grow as a teacher by meeting her students where they are at, and making them feel seen, loved, valued and understood. She explains that “theology is a great way to share the Catholic faith and help the students to understand the faith. It is very exciting to share such a rich tradition and history!” Ms. Corniell is grateful for the opportunity to be in a Catholic School while living her faith in a holistic way. 

Her ideal day “will start with physical activity like tennis or a run, Mass and prayer time, and hanging out with friends and sharing a meal with them.”

With their creativity, energy, and passion, these faculty members are wonderful additions to our family!