Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr. Named 16th President of New England College
Board of Trustees makes history with unanimous selection of NEC’s first Hispanic president.
Henniker, NH — On December 12, 2022, the New England College (NEC) Board of Trustees elected Wayne F. Lesperance as the College’s 16th President. Dr. Lesperance served as Interim President, succeeding Michele D. Perkins who was appointed NEC Chancellor last spring after serving as NEC President for 15 years.
“Under Michele’s leadership, New England College has become firmly established on the national map. I am honored and eager to meet the challenges that exist within the constantly evolving landscape of higher education,” said Dr. Lesperance.
Dr. Lesperance arrived at NEC in 1999 to serve as Assistant Professor of Political Science, a role he relished for 17 years. In 2016, he transitioned to NEC’s administration as Dean of Residential Undergraduate Programs. He served as Director of the Center for Civic Engagement, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Provost, and most recently Interim President. Dr. Lesperance is passionate about New Hampshire politics, is a strong advocate for the first-in-the-nation primary, and is a respected analyst for local and national media outlets.
NEC Board Chair, Lex Scourby, said, “The Board of Trustees elected Wayne F. Lesperance as the 16th President of New England College,” voting unanimously to accept “the recommendation of its Presidential Search Committee, which had assessed Dr. Lesperance’s accomplishments as Interim President.” Chairman Scourby went on to observe that in making their recommendation, the Search Committee “pointed to Dr. Lesperance’s intellect, vision, long commitment to the College, openness, professionalism, and strong leadership among key attributes.” Trustees noted that Dr. Lesperance was a particularly “good fit” as NEC President.
Dr. Lesperance received his BS in Political Science and MA in International Studies from Old Dominion University and his Doctorate in Law and Policy from Northeastern University. Dr. Lesperance was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He resides in Henniker, New Hampshire, with his wife, Stephanie; daughter, Grace; and their two dogs, Nero and Emmitt.
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