A Provost’s Passion

Sandra Richtermeyer’s journey from a Wyoming high school student interested in computer science to the role of executive vice chancellor and provost of Rutgers University in Camden has taken her more than 1,700 miles across the country, but the physical distance fails to capture the depth and breadth of her experiences along the way. During her undergraduate days, Richtermeyer expected to spend her life as a programmer and analyst, but the three and a half years she spent working toward her bachelor of science in information systems and accounting didn’t seem like enough.

“I was a first-generation college student, and I felt like I rushed through my degree,” Richtermeyer said. “Other than my professors, I didn’t have many role models who had received advanced degrees, but continuing my education felt right because there was so much more I wanted to learn.”

After graduation, Richtermeyer became a CPA in Denver and began to teach part-time night classes, where she discovered that her zeal for teaching matched her love for learning. “I would work all day as a CPA, teach two nights a week, go to grad school two nights a week, and come home after 10:00 p.m. still full of energy,” Richtermeyer said.“These experiences opened my mind to many research questions I wanted to explore, so I thought about a Ph.D., but I didn’t really understand what that entailed, and I was nervous to do it. After I completed a master of science degree in information systems from the University of Colorado Denver, I decided to enter the MBA program at the University of Colorado Boulder. After earning two master’s degrees, I felt more prepared to start a doctoral program. I was fortunate to continue at the University of Colorado Boulder, where I was already familiar with the business school. I completed my Ph.D. in business administration with an emphasis in accounting, and then I was on my way to launching an academic career.” 

A childhood spent in Wyoming and Colorado had filled Richtermeyer with the urge to travel; family ties eventually brought her to the Midwest, where she would spend 12 years on the faculty at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, eventually becoming accounting department chair, associate dean of the business school, and in a university-wide role as director of faculty programs for mission and identity. Next, she moved to the Boston area, joining the University of Massachusetts Lowell as the dean of the Manning School of Business. Although business will always hold a special place in her heart, Richtermeyer is equally committed to the growth and success of all academic units at Rutgers–Camden, where she began as provost in June.

“The role of Rutgers–Camden provost has evolved over the years, but my main goal is to provide excellent support for all of the university’s academic affairs,” Richtermeyer said.  “I enjoy collaborating with faculty groups to support shared governance and create a positive academic culture on campus.”

Although her background is rooted in technical disciplines such as accounting and information systems, Richtermeyer emphasizes that being “people-centered” is critical to her role. She believes it is essential for provosts to support an academic environment where both students and faculty can thrive. A firm believer in the power of storytelling and social media, she wants to build strong connections with the Rutgers–Camden community both online and in person.

“Great academic programs are rooted in the passion of faculty and students,” Richtermeyer said. “Numbers can tell a story, but there needs to be a foundation of excitement. Rutgers–Camden is highly engaged with the community, and I am inspired by listening to what our community members say.

“We all learn in different ways—listening, reading, doing,” Richtermeyer said. “The more open you are with people in allowing them to learn and communicate in ways that make them feel comfortable, the more you build trust. I strive to be a servant leader who sits down with people to solve problems and improve their lives. I get my energy from being around people and helping them. Higher education can be very complex, but it doesn’t have to be—I love to bring clarity to challenging issues and help people find their purpose.”