Dr. Emily C. Richardson, dean and associate professor at the University College of Widener University in Chester, Pa., has been named associate vice president for Boundless Learning and visiting professor of Education at Stetson University, starting in March. Richardson will develop and lead a comprehensive strategy for the university’s new Boundless Learning initiative to advance innovative educational opportunities for learners of all ages.

“Dr. Richardson is recognized nationally as a leader in cutting-edge lifelong learning,” said Dr. Elizabeth “Beth” Paul, Stetson provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “Stetson’s new Boundless Learning initiative seeks to enhance the university mission to educate diverse individuals who dare to be significant, and we’re looking forward to Dr. Richardson’s leadership with this important new opportunity.”

Richardson will engage in ongoing conversation with faculty and academic leaders as well as leaders in various private and public sector fields to identify economic, market and social trends that lead to innovative and expansive learning opportunities for diverse students. Programs will support and catalyze academic quality, innovation and outreach and will lead to progressive economic ventures for the university.

“The idea behind the Boundless Learning initiative and the opportunities the position presents are both exciting and challenging, and ones that I am looking forward to leading in the coming years,” Richardson said. “I am truly looking forward to working with faculty and staff at Stetson more closely to enable them to embrace these exciting possibilities. I believe the opportunities for innovative programming are limitless, and Boundless Learning will be charged with determining what is right for Stetson, our students, community partners and alumni.”

The new associate vice president’s areas will include Continuing Education, the Stetson University Center at Celebration, Summer Programs and Summer School, as well as other special university programs. Reporting to the provost, Richardson will lead the development of a strategic vision and plan for Boundless Learning, and will partner with academic deans, academic leaders and faculty, as well as the new director of International Learning, the associate dean of International and Cooperative Programs at the College of Law, the new dean of Library and Learning Technologies, staff at Stetson’s Tampa Law Center, and other university and community leaders to develop and implement new programs.

Since 2002,Richardson has served as dean of the University College, where she provides leadership for the non-traditional division on three campuses, plus online course offerings. Her position there includes oversight for degree programs, non-credit programming, Osher LifeLong Learning Institute, Lifelong Learning and Professional Development and Summer Session. She secured $2 million in funding from the Osher Foundation for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and re-entry scholarships for adult students. She also developed an interdisciplinary master’s program in coordination with the School of Business Administration and the Center for Education and developed a dual-enrollment process allowing high school students to take courses at the university while still in high school.

Richardson is serving currently in a second term as a board member of the University Professional Continuing Education Association and is involved actively in the association’s recent strategic planning. She is currently a member of the Council of Adult and Experiential Learning, Association of Continuing Higher Education, UPCEA, and Professional and Organizational Development and has spoken at numerous conferences on adult learning.

She earned her Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from Widener University, her M.Ed. in Instructional Design from Pennsylvania State University and her B.S. in Hotel Management from Cornell University.

She and her husband Robert will be moving to DeLand in March, and they are parents of three grown sons.