Belleville, Ontario, June 20, 2016 – The Board of Governors of Loyalist College is pleased to announce the appointment of Dianne Spencer, Executive Director of College Advancement and External Relations, as Interim President, effective September 1 until a selection is made and the term of the next President begins.
“The Board of Governors was unanimous in its approval of Dianne Spencer as Interim President,” said Board Chair June Hagerman, who has been elected to serve a second term as Chair for the 2016-2017 year. “Dianne’s experience and passionate commitment to Loyalist’s success are well-recognized, and the Board looks forward to working with her and the senior management team during this period of transition.”
“Dianne has been a highly-valued and key member of my executive team throughout my presidency,” said College President and CEO Maureen Piercy, who is retiring August 31. “I am very pleased that she has accepted this appointment, and am confident that her leadership will provide a successful and dynamic transition.”
Mrs. Spencer has served as a member of the senior management team since 1987: first as Special Assistant to the President, later as Director of Community Affairs and Special Projects, and since 2004, Executive Director of College Advancement and External Relations. She also taught in several different programs at Loyalist. The College Advancement portfolio has grown to include alumni and fundraising activities, marketing and career services as well as media, government and community relations for the College. She is an ex officio director of the Loyalist College Foundation, and holds the office of Secretary. Since it was established in 1995, the Foundation endowment fund for student financial assistance has grown to $9.2 million (March 2016).
Prior to joining the College staff team, Mrs. Spencer served two terms on the Loyalist Board of Governors, concluding with a term as Chair.
Mrs. Spencer holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours English) from Victoria College, University of Toronto, and a Master of Science in Rural Extension Studies from the University of Guelph. She has held her CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) designation since 2006. She is also proud to be an honorary Loyalist graduate, having been awarded a diploma in recognition of her service as Board Chair.
Mrs. Spencer has served on many community, professional, and College system committees and boards. She has served as a director of the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) Board, and as a director on the provincial CCAE-Ontario Board. She is a Board member on the Bay of Quinte Living Council. A strong advocate for post-secondary education and community development, she is a member of the Rotary Club of Belleville, and has been awarded a Paul Harris fellowship by the club in recognition of her commitment to community service.
Dianne and her husband Murray, a retired educator, live in the Tweed area. They have three adult children and a granddaughter.
The Board of Governors has engaged executive search consultants, The PhelpsGroup to assist with the presidential search, and has completed an extensive consultation with College and community input in developing the profile being used to recruit candidates across Canada.
About Loyalist College
We put you to work™. When it comes to grads getting jobs, 87.4 percent of the College’s most recent graduates found employment within six months of graduation compared to the provincial average of 83.6 percent, according to Provincial Key Performance Indicator (KPI) results released in April 2016. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, Loyalist College is a close-knit community where students and their success come first. Loyalist provides personalized attention in small classes, rewarding field placements and superior student services. To prepare students for in-demand careers, Loyalist offers more than 60 full-time programs; apprenticeships; and hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, as well as opportunities for continuing education through more than 70 university transfer agreements. The College’s wide selection of advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates aligns with market-driven disciplines including applied sciences, biosciences, building sciences, business and management studies, health sciences, human studies, justice studies, media, arts and design, and skills and technology. In Ontario, the College’s new Digital Media Centre and the LEED® Silver certified Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre are training centres of choice for students, as well as College business and industry partners. The College is a key driver of the social and economic health and prosperity of the area and contributes 5.4 percent to the Gross Regional Product. This represents an overall effect on the regional economy of $530 million – based on a 2014 Report by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI). For more information on the College’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses, visit loyalistcollege.com.
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Media Contact: June Hagerman, Chair, Loyalist College Board of Governors
Loyalist College, 613-969-1913, ext. 2201
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