UMass Lowell Manning School of Business Dean Sandra Richtermeyer

03/10/2016
Lowell Sun
By Christopher Scott

LOWELL -- UMass Lowell on Wednesday announced it has hired the newest member of the university's leadership team, a dean for the Manning School of Business.

Succeeding interim Dean Scott Latham will be Sandra Richtermeyer, currently the associate dean of the Williams College of Business at Xavier University in Cincinnati.

A native of Wyoming, Richtermeyer brings more than 25 years of higher education experience to UMass Lowell, including more than 12 years in academic leadership roles ranging from global professor-in-residence of the Institute of Management Accountants to department chair and associate dean at Xavier.

"She has delivered presentations to business audiences on six continents and is dedicated to building relationships between higher education and organizations of every kind," Chancellor Jacqueline Moloney said in a statement.

Moloney said Richtermeyer, who holds both her Ph.D. in accounting and her MBA from the University of Colorado, conveyed to her that she's very excited to be joining UMass Lowell. Named for UMass Lowell alumni Robert Manning, who has been very generous to his alma mater, the business school will move into a brand new building next fall, the Pulichino Tong Business Center.

"I'm very honored to become the dean of UMass Lowell's Manning School of Business, particularly at such an exciting time in both the school's and the university's history," Richtermeyer said in a statement.

"The university's exceptional leadership team, its support from alumni and its strong relationship with the city are powerful assets and were key factors in my decision to come to Lowell. I look forward to helping to elevate UMass Lowell's place as a world-class public research institution."

Richtermeyer was among 140 applicants for the position. About 55 of the applicants met with the university's search firm, Korn Ferry, and nine were interviewed by the UML Search Committee. Three finalists, including Richtermeyer, visited the campus.

"Given that this is such an exciting and transformative moment in the Manning School's history, it should come as no surprise that we attracted many strong candidates for this position," Moloney said. "I truly appreciate the search committee's participation in this important process and for providing such valuable feedback on our candidates."

Richtermeyer will earn $280,000 annually. She begins her new job in early July.

Late last month, UML announced its hiring of University of Arkansas Dean Michael Vayda as its new provost, ending a five-month, nationwide search to replace former provost Ahmed Abdelal.