New England College has selected a new president — a political expert and longtime administrator, who will also be the first Hispanic person to lead the college.
Wayne Lesperance, Jr. has been serving as interim president of the college since September, when former president Michele Perkins, who had held the role for 15 years, moved up to become the college’s chancellor.
“Under Michele’s leadership, New England College has become firmly established on the national map,” Lesperance said. “I am honored and eager to meet the challenges that exist within the constantly evolving landscape of higher education.”
Lesperance started at New England College in 1999 as an assistant professor of political science, a role he held for 17 years. In 2016, he transitioned to an administrative role as dean of residential undergraduate programs. Since then he has served as director of the Center for Civic Engagement, vice president of academic affairs and provost. Lesperance is passionate about New Hampshire politics and is an outspoken advocate for the first-in-the-nation primary, who is frequently quoted in local and national media outlets.
Lesperance was selected by a search committee, who recommended him to the Board of Trustees, who then elected him as the 16th president of the college this month. The trustees said Lesperance was a “good fit” as president.
NEC Board Chair Lex Scourby said the search committee “pointed to Dr. Lesperance’s intellect, vision, long commitment to the college, openness, professionalism, and strong leadership among key attributes.”
Lesperance holds a bachelor’s in political science and a master’s in international studies from Old Dominion University and his doctorate in law and policy from Northeastern University. Lesperance, who was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico and raised in Virginia Beach, now resides in Henniker with his wife Stephanie, his daughter Grace and their two dogs, Nero and Emmitt.
The small liberal arts college has 733 undergraduate students at its main campus in Henniker and 127 students at its Manchester campus and hundreds more online students, according to statistics for the fall sememster.