By Steph Crosier
[1]BELLEVILLE, Ont. (02/06/11) Maureen Piercy addresses Stuart Wright, board chair, at the Loyalist College Board of Governors meeting June 2. Piercy said she has never been as honoured as the day she was named president of Loyalist College Photo by Renee Rodgers.
Maureen Piercy is Loyalist’s biggest fan.
In her office, surrounded by memorabilia, paintings by Manly MacDonald, and a t-shirt signed by the entire men’s rugby team, Piercy says she’s bias but thinks Loyalist is the best college in Ontario.
On December 5, Piercy was recognized as one of Canada’s most powerful women by the Women’s Executive Network.
“I am very honoured to be named to this wonderful group of women from across Canada,” said Piercy.
The Women’s Executive Network has recognized 100 women every year for the past ten years for their in their fields and the community. Piercy was recognized as a public sector leader with 18 other women.
Though Piercy is very pleased to be recognized, becoming president of her former college in 2005, was one of the best days of her professional life.
“The most exciting day of my career was certainly the day I was named president of the college,” said Piercy. “Nothing really compares to that because that is a very deep honour and one that I cherish.”
Elaine Wilkinson, secretary to Piercy, sees Piercy’s love of the school and the work she does on a daily basis.
“She’s a great person to work with and to work for,” said Wilkinson. “She really has Loyalist in her heart.”
Loyalist Board of Governors Chair Stuart Wright said in a press release that Piercy is an outstanding leader that has propelled the college forward in her time as president.
“Under her leadership, the college has undergone a massive physical expansion and significant enrolment growth,” said Wright. “Thee results reflect the professionalism she exudes when dealing with complex and challenging matters.”
Challenging matters including last year’s Ontario Public Services Employees Union strike.
“We’ve had strikes, we’ve had labour interruptions, so we worked through those with our partners, or employees, our staff and colleagues, and we’ve been able to survive and thrive,” said Piercy.
She said keeping a close link to the community benefits graduating students.
“Colleges have a unique place in the educational spectrum. They really are about applied education, and the way that we make that relevant is to work with industry and business and not-for-profit partners that employ our students when they graduate,” said Piercy. “They keep feeding into the system to keep it current and relevant and up-to-date.”
Dianne Spencer, executive director of Loyalist’s external media relations, has worked with Piercy in the college since the early 90’s, and directly for eight years.
“She is absolutely passionate on her role and work,” said Spencer. “We work as a team at Loyalist and Maureen is a fabulous leader.”
Piercy graduated from Loyalist College’s journalism program in 1979, worked as a writer for Maclean’s Magazine, graduated with a B.A. from Queen’s University, a masters in Education from Brock University, and completed all required doctoral course work in Educational Administration through OISE at the University of Toronto. In 2009 Piercy was appointed as an Honorary Colonel of 8 Air Communication and Control Squadron, 8 Wing CFB Trenton.
Growing up, Piercy was encouraged to follow her dreams. Her advice for other young girls is to find their passion.
“Find what you’re passionate about and pursue it, really pursue it at all possible. If people are telling you that it’s not for you then you need to find that out for yourself, because that’s the fire that keeps us going, that passion and that’s so important.”