New Boréal prez comes from French public board

Collège Boréal has a new president.

Pierre Riopel will take over the college's reins when the current president, Denis Hubert-Dutrisac, retires Sept. 1.

Collège Boréal’s Board of Governors nominated Riopel as the college's fourth president June 8.

Riopel is currently the director of education with the region's French public school board, Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario (CSPGNO).

He holds a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Toronto as well as an Honours B.A. in History with a minor in Political Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Ottawa.

Riopel was also trained at the Leadership Institute for Superintendents, Graduate School of Education from Harvard University (MA), and has completed studies towards a PhD (in Education) at the University of Montreal.

He has 25 years of experience in the education field, and played a decisive role in the innovation of new programs at the CSPGNO.

Among his accomplishments is the upcoming establishment of an International Baccalaureate program at one of the board's schools, as well as a school of trades at at École secondaire Hanmer, in partnership with Collège Boréal.

“Pierre Riopel’s vast experience, combined with important accomplishments in the field of French language education in Ontario were particularly convincing for the members of the board of governors,” said Monique Rocheleau, chair of the board, in a press release.

“His knowledge of the trade sector and his close ties within the University sector as a member of both, the executive committee and the strategic committee as well as a member of the University of Sudbury Board of Regents, make Mr. Riopel the ideal candidate to lead Collège Boréal towards the realization of its strategic objectives.”

The board of governors also thanked Hubert-Dutrisac for his “unwavering commitment and endless energy in serving the interests of the Franco-Ontarian population.

“The major achievements realized during his presidency and the considerable accomplishments in the number and quality of programs offered in Northern and Central-Southwestern Ontario will have instilled a communal vitality in many regions along with a sense of pride in all francophones served by Collège Boréal.”