ESSCA School of Management is stepping up its growth plan to meet the targets set by its Odyssée 20/24 strategy in creating a Department for Operations and International Development and appointing a new head of its Paris campus. The aim is to become a leading figure in higher education and management science research on an international level and to position the school among the very best European institutions offering optimal working, research and learning conditions by 2030.
The creation of a Department for Operations and International Development
In addition to the Department for School Operations and Development set up in 2020 is the creation of a Department for Operations and International Development, “international” being very much at the heart of ESSCA School of Management activities as well as a large-scale challenge in support of its growth over the period 2022-30.
Stéphanie Villemagne, the new Director for Operations and International Development and a member of the Board
Working directly with the Dean of ESSCA Jean Charroin, Stéphanie Villemagne will be tasked with coordinating all academic operations and international recruitment to support the expansion of ESSCA School of Management and raise awareness outside of France. Her role will entail direct supervision of all departments situated on campuses abroad, with a particular focus on increasing their appeal by following the main quality indicators. Stéphanie Villemagne’s prime responsibility will be to guide the development of international operations and contribute to a higher number of international students accepted onto degree-granting programmes.
Holder of an Executive Master of Business Administration from INSEAD, Stéphanie Villemagne was until recently Vice-Dean of the Master in Management and Master in Finance programmes at IE Business School, Madrid. She had joined IE University after working as Vice-Dean of Master’s programmes at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Business School and overall Head of the MBA programme at INSEAD Singapore, during which she acquired significant knowledge of Asian training portfolios.
From the very beginning of her career, Stéphanie Villemagne displayed a clear interest in international education firstly as an intern in the United States. She subsequently took up almost 25 different positions in schools and businesses focussing on higher education and international exchanges in Barcelona, Hong Kong, London, Madrid, and Paris, as well as San Francisco and Singapore. This overtly international profile is underlined by her keen interest in sustainable development and her efforts in support of inclusiveness and equality in education.
“Joining ESSCA School of Management is my way of contributing to its international development. I would also like the notion of multiculturality to no longer be said in vain so that the next generation of students may take full advantage of the unrivalled experience that ESSCA has to offer them both in France and abroad”, states Stéphanie Villemagne.
Stéphanie Gouchault joins ESSCA School of Management as head of its Paris campus
Working directly with Jacques Boulay, Director of Operations and Development for France, and in close collaboration with all central departments, Stéphanie Gouchault will be tasked with supervising administrative and teaching staff and managing the upkeep and use of the Paris premises to ensure that they remain an appealing place to study and work. She will also contribute to the development and awareness of ESSCA School of Management within the region.
ESSCA would like to take this opportunity to thank Pascal Lebarbier for his 4 years of service in charge of the Paris campus.
Following experience in charge of several Departments for Operations in a variety of industries, including telecommunications and aircraft maintenance, Stéphanie Gouchault joined HEC Paris in 2017, where she held the position of Head of Pre-experience Programme Studies and Operations for 5 years. This role required her to oversee the teams in charge of implementing, delivering, and ensuring the academic guidance of all students. Previously she worked in several operational departments and held board positions in a number of sectors, including telecommunications and aircraft maintenance, mainly relating to purchasing and logistical services.
Holder of a Master’s in Fundamental Physics from the Université d’Orsay – Paris XI and an Ecole des Mines de Paris-qualified civil engineer, Stéphanie Gouchault was recently awarded the title of professional coach. She will be able to bring all her team and project management experience obtained over 15+ years to ensure the highest level of operational excellence.
“I am delighted by the opportunity for ESSCA School of Management to benefit from my approach to management and student relations. This should prove crucial for the running of the Paris campus. I am also fully committed to supporting the various teams and students in improving our ways of working together and am available to all to ensure that the necessary efforts are made for a joint initiative to succeed”, states Stéphanie Gouchault.