New Hampton School

Suzanne arrived at New Hampton School in 2007. In her five years at the School, the Admission team has increased applications by 50 percent and are thrilled with the composition of the student body that they have worked to mold. Prior to her arrival on campus, Suzanne served as the Director of Admission and Director of the International Student Program at the Fay School. She began her independent school career at Westminster School, where she filled many roles including the Associate Admission Director, Director of Financial Aid, house parent, advisor, and coach.

As a professional, Suzanne shares unbridled enthusiasm and energy. She has presented at several national conferences including The Association of Boarding Schools, Secondary School Admission Testing Board, and the Independent Educational Consultant Association. She is co-founder of the International Baccalaureate Boarding School Association and will serve on a NEASC accreditation team.

Suzanne is a graduate of Miss Porter’s School. She majored in Anthropology and minored in English and Women’s Studies at Connecticut College, where she was the captain of the women’s field hockey and lacrosse teams and served as a Residential Director. She holds a Master's Degree of Science in Social Work from Columbia University and a Master’s Degree in Education from Harvard University.

In her free time, Suzanne enjoys working out, playing golf, stacking wood, eating bacon, solving crossword puzzles, listening to NPR, and spending time with family and friends. Suzanne is happily married to Johnny Buck, a studio art teacher at New Hampton. They share three children, Nina (15), Oliver (13) and Halsey (6) and a black Labrador, Kaya.

Cathy Creany is Associate Director Admission at New Hampton School. Cathy completed her B. A. in Communication Arts at St. Mary’s College/University of Notre Dame. She then worked in the television industry for 25 years in news, marketing, production, promotion, and was in management roles her last 16 years.

Following these positions, Cathy completed her teacher certification at Southern Methodist University. Cathy and her family moved back east in 2003 to be close to family and Cathy began her new career in education at New Hampton School.  "After visiting six New England prep schools, I just fell in love with New Hampton. What impressed me the most was that respect in the teacher-student relationship truly goes both ways here, and that each child is celebrated for his own special talents. I was thrilled to be invited to join the staff here.”

Cathy feels well informed and very fortunate to be able to help families work through the critical decision as to what school is best for their children. Cathy and her family live in Meredith. Her favorite leisure activities are skiing, boating, gardening, hiking, reading and spending time with family.

Michelle Cote is Director of Financial Aid and Assistant Director of Admission. Michelle holds a M.Ed. in Counseling from the University of New Hampshire, and a B.S. in Human Services from Lyndon State College in Vermont.

Michelle returned to New Hampton School in 2011 after spending the 2009-2010 school year in the New Hampton School College Office. “Everyone at NHS is so welcoming and energized about the work that they do," Michelle says. "It is exciting to be back here…it has been like coming home." 

From 2004 through 2008 she worked at St. Johnsbury Academy in Vermont as a College Counselor, and also worked in a dormitory, taught Health, and coached softball and basketball. Michelle recently completed her first sprint triathlon and participated in the Pan-Mass Challenge. She is looking forward to continuing to stay involved in these events and more in the future. She is also a dorm parent in Small House.

Bio