WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A Vermont assistant principal has been selected as the new executive director of the Special Needs Support Center.

Kendra LaRoche, who oversaw special education and behavior at Manchester (Vt.) Elementary/Middle School, will lead the White River Junction-based nonprofit organization that provides programming and assists families with children with disabilities.

She succeeds Laura Perez, who is now the development manager at Visions for Creative Housing Solutions, a nonprofit organization that provides housing for adults with developmental disabilities.

LaRoche earned master’s degrees from Harvard University and Middlebury College, and a doctorate from Southern New Hampshire University, according to a news release from the support center.

“While data-driven decision making describes what Kendra does, the hiring committee was most impressed with how she did it — through relationship building,” according to the news release.