Bishop Stang High School will have a new president for the upcoming school year.

The Diocese of Fall River Catholic Schools announced Thursday that James Benson will take over for current president current Bishop Stang president Peter Shaughnessy on July 11.

According to a diocese spokesperson, Shaughnessy is stepping down to pursue other opportunities.

Benson currently is the Acting Head of School for DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis, Minn., where he has held various leadership roles for the past 17 years.

Although he’s lived in the Twin Cities for nearly two decades, the new president is a native of New York City with family throughout New England. Benson earned undergraduate and advanced degrees from the State University of New York, College at New Paltz and St. John’s University in Queens, NY respectively.

“I am humbled and blessed to be given this extraordinary opportunity to lead such a wonderful institution,” Benson said.  “My roots are in the northeast and my wife and I believe that it is God’s will that brought me to Bishop Stang. 

“There are so many exciting opportunities for this school, especially with the recent renovations of the Hugh Carney Stadium and STEM labs,” he added. “Continuous improvement aligned with community partnerships will ensure an even brighter future for Bishop Stang.”