From a Regional Campus to Cornerstone of a Global Campus Network
Dr. Cheryl Richards is the CEO and Regional Dean at Northeastern University at Charlotte, a node campus in Northeastern’s Lifelong Learning Network. In this episode, Cheryl discusses her path to higher education and how she wove together a diverse group of professional experiences. These experiences led to her being named as NEU’s first regional campus CEO. She also talks about the changing landscape of higher education and the opportunities on the horizon for the industry. These opportunities include new ways of thinking about corporate and employee training solutions.
In part two of the interview, Cheryl reflects on her leadership journey and the experiences that have shaped her leadership style today. In addition, she outlines important competencies that all rising leaders in higher education will need, including business acumen. The interview closes out with advice for new leaders in higher education.
About Cheryl Richards, PhD
Dr. Cheryl Richards is the CEO and founding regional dean at Northeastern University’s Charlotte, NC campus. The Charlotte campus offers more than 50 programs including bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctorates and certificates. She was the first regional executive for Northeastern University’s Lifelong Learning Network that now boasts campuses in Seattle, The Bay Area, Toronto and Vancouver. More recently, she launched the university’s Corporate Talent Solutions providing customized solutions for employee learning and professional development.
Cheryl is a recognized community leader serving multiple terms on the Charlotte Chamber’s Executive Committee and is currently on the boards of Apparo, Smart Start of Mecklenburg County, Patriots Path and Progressive AE.
Cheryl has been honored as a Most Admired CEO, twice as one of Charlotte’s 50 Most Influential Women and in 2014 was named Woman of the Year by the Mecklenburg Times. The Charlotte Business Journal has recognized her as a 40 Under Forty leader and a Top 25 Woman in Business.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in speech communication, a master’s degree in student affairs in higher education, and a PhD in leadership in higher education.
