Leader News Hartwick Names Alicia Richardson College Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Officer

Alicia Richardson has been named the College Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Officer at Hartwick College. In this role, she will lead the development and implementation of proactive diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives that will complement, strengthen and advance the College’s current strategic direction. She will serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet and provide purposeful leadership for College-wide DEIB efforts. Richardson will assume her new role on March 16, 2023, and report to Vice President for Human Resources, Inclusion and Compliance Suzanne Janitz with a dotted line to President Darren Reisberg.

Richardson brings to Hartwick deep experience in DEIB at the collegiate level, including working with campus leaders to develop and implement an enterprise-wide strategic plan; creating professional development and programming activities; and auditing of college policies and practices to promote and eliminate barriers to inclusion. She joins the College following a 13-year career with SUNY Schenectady County Community College, for which she has been serving as Interim Chief Diversity Officer since September 2021. Prior to her appointment as Interim CDO, Richardson served SUNY Schenectady as a full professor in the Division of Liberal Arts, where she taught developmental studies courses, College Composition, and literature courses including African American and Hispanic Literature. She also served as Academic Senate Chair and Developmental English Coordinator.

“Alicia is a dynamic leader whose expertise, experience and vision will ensure Hartwick College lives into its deeply held values of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging,” said Reisberg. “Vice President Janitz and I are thrilled to welcome her to the Hartwick family and eager to roll up our sleeves and support her success.”

In 2015, Richardson received the Capital District Leadership Council on Inclusion Multicultural Service Award. Three years later, she earned the State University of New York Chancellors Award for Faculty Service. She has also attended many notable conferences and workshops as a learner, participant and presenter.

“At a time when so many are questioning the need for and focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, Hartwick is remaining committed to the work of engaging its community by embracing and celebrating different cultures, beliefs, and ideas,” she said. “I am excited to join Hartwick and walk alongside the campus community as it continues on this courageous journey that involves championing justice, challenging inequities, and fostering inclusion.”

Richardson earned a M.A in African American History from the State University of New York at Albany, and a B.A. in English from the University of Saint Joseph.

For more information, contact Janitz at (607) 431-4319 or [email protected].