Paul LeBlanc

Paul LeBlanc

President


Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)

San Diego, CA USA


Super smarts and talent are overrated. There are lots of smart people that fail all the time because they don’t show up. It’s great to be smart, but it’s better to have an incredible work ethic.

Videos

By Roadtrip Nation

Paul LeBlanc

Milestones

My road in life took a while to figure out.
Born in Canada, where he grew up speaking French as his first language—immigrated to the United States with his family when he was young.
Grew up in a neighborhood where no one, not even in his own family, had ever gone to college—admits that he thought college was only for the rich and that it wasn’t accessible to him.
After high school, he was planning on joining the military, but while attending a new student orientation visit at a college with his friends, he decided that going to college was a better path.
Spent most of his adolescent and young adult life living in poverty—says that he lived off of food stamps while in college.
Attended Framingham State University as a criminal justice major with the intent of becoming a police officer—was encouraged by a professor to instead pursue his love of books and major in English.
Through a connection at Boston College, he received a fellowship that paid his tuition and enabled him to receive his master’s degree in English; he began teaching shortly afterwards.
He went on to receive his doctorate in rhetoric and composition from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
He is now the president of Southern New Hampshire University, the second-largest online university in the U.S., dedicated to providing affordable educational opportunities.
Keep following my journey

Career

President

I lead a university on a mission to bring education to people for whom college is not a guarantee.

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Non-Profit Organizations
Upholding a Cause and Belief

Day to Day

A lot of meetings, developing new ideas, touching base with people, and writing / speaking occasions. I've seen this school grow from 2500 students to over 90,000 by pioneering high-quality online education. I am continually seeking to recalibrate my role focusing on talent, driving strategy, being the primary face of SNHU’s external relations, building partnerships, and helping students achieve their goals.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for everyone

Find mentors, teachers, anyone who will support you and believe in you. The power of these individuals believing in you lifts your bar. Building the power to believe in yourself comes from having others that believe in you as well. Be authentic to yourself and don't let others tell you what your calling is.

Recommended Education

My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Teachers:

"You don't belong in college. Maybe you should consider taking up a trade. "

Challenges I Overcame

First-Generation College Student
Relocation / Moving
Learning Issues