By Jim Eaton
The Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce will honor Linda Richardson, Ph.D., Siena College vice president for academic affairs at the 23rd annual Women of Excellence luncheon on Friday, May 30.
Richardson is one of seven women who will be recognized for their professional achievements and work in the community. She will be the recipient in the category of Excellence in Management with 100 plus employees.
“When I arrived at Siena in 1991, I knew instantly that I had found my academic home,” Richardson said. “I have been privileged to be a part of this community for most of my academic career. This award really reflects the good work to which we are all committed.”
Richardson was appointed Vice President for Academic Affairs in 2002. Since assuming that leadership position at Siena, she is credited with changing the profile of the College to a school known for academic excellence.
Under Richardson’s guidance, the College implemented a $3.6 million Academic Excellence Plan to strategically hire and retain nationally competitive faculty and Siena’s grant portfolio has grown to more than $10 million dollars and includes grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
“Her plan has given the Siena community more state-of-the-art educational resources, increased global awareness and fostered continuous improvement of student learning through regular assessment,” said Deb Delbelso, director of Siena’s Career Center.
Richardson also established a for-credit program with incarcerated men at Mt. McGregor Correctional Facility in Saratoga County which now continues at Greene Correctional Facility. The program assists inmates in developing new skills as they transition back in to society.
She is a past recipient of the Jerome Walton Excellence in Teaching Award at Siena and the Dunkin Donuts Award for Community Service.
Richardson joins past Siena College Women of Excellence honorees, including Maryellen Gilroy, vice president of academic affairs and Gina Castelli, former women’s basketball head coach.
Ashley Jeffrey ’04, executive director of Girls Incorporated of the Greater Capital Region is also being recognized this year in the Emerging Professional category.
