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By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – The University of Montevallo has announced the appointment of Dr. Lynne Richardson as interim dean of the Michael E. Stephens College of Business through an official announcement posted to the university’s website and social media accounts on Wednesday, Jan. 10.

Richardson, who will take the helm of the college for the next two years, is filling the seat left by Dr. Amiee Mellon, who is returning to a full-time role as an associate professor of marketing.

Richardson is an alumnus of the University of Montevallo, where she earned a B.S. in marketing, as well as the University of Alabama Birmingham and The University of Alabama, from where she attained her MBA and Ph.D. in marketing respectively.

“I’m excited to return to my alma mater to serve as interim dean of the Stephens College of Business,” Richardson said. “While I’ve stayed connected with Montevallo since graduation in a variety of ways, this role gives me a new way to serve the institution that gave me my start.”

While interim dean, Richardson will primarily guide the college through its upcoming accreditation process with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which is one of the leading accreditations that a business school can achieve and maintain.

AACSB serves in an international capacity by providing accreditation and professional development services to business schools in at least 100 nations across the globe with nearly 900 institutions holding membership.

Richardson will also play an active and involved role in the selection process of a new dean for the college that will be chosen and transitioned into the role by January 2026.

Much of Richardson’s professional career has found her in an active role within AACSB International itself with two terms on the AACSB Board of Directors and membership on the Finance and Investment Committee. She has additionally served on more than 30 peer review teams and is known for her creation of the organization’s prolific seminar “Lessons for Aspiring Deans.”

She has also completed two certificate programs from Harvard University with her 2003 attainment of Management and Leadership in Education and her 2018 completion of Institute for Educational Management.

Other highlights of Richardson’s resume include nearly two decades of leadership in business school administration with roles that have extended to her service as dean in several high-standing business schools. It is a list that includes the University of Mary Washington, Iona University, Mississippi State University and Ball State University.

“Dr. Richardson is an outstanding alumna of the University of Montevallo with an impressive career in higher education administration,” said Dr. Courtney Bentley, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “She is an accomplished leader with extensive experience and expertise in accreditation, talent acquisition and curriculum innovation. We are thrilled she is joining the Michael E. Stephens College of Business as interim dean to lead the college during this transitional period.”