Colorado College President L. Song Richardson announces resignation, interim leader named
L. Song Richardson, the first woman of color to lead Colorado College, announced Wednesday that she will be leaving the private, liberal arts Colorado Springs school following the 2023-24 academic year.
Richardson, who is Black and Korean, was hired late in 2020 from the University of California Irvine School of Law, where she was the dean and chancellor’s professor of law. She took over as the 14th president of Colorado College on July 1, 2021.
Richardson’s resignation will take effect June 30. In her email announcement, she noted her limitations to discuss certain issues as the leader of a college playing into this decision.
“My legal and academic career has focused on the pursuit of equity and fairness,” Song wrote. “As our national dialogue about these topics continues to intensify, I find myself increasingly torn between my desire to pursue that work as an academic with the freedom to fully engage in these debates, express my personal views, and challenge the status quo, and my responsibilities to CC as president.
Richardson will return to a position at UC Irvine, where she can fulfill a “moral obligation” and resume engaging in a number of contentious topics “as a law professor, scholar, and director of an Institute.”
The same day, the CC Board of Trustees announced that Manya Whitaker, executive vice president and chief of staff, had accepted the board’s request to serve as interim president for the next two years, effective July 1. Since joining Colorado College in 2011, Whitaker has also been its director of the Crown Faculty Center, director of graduate studies and chair of education, and interim director of the Butler Center.
“The reasons for our appointment of Dr. Whitaker are many, and are grounded in her knowledge of CC, her commitment to its mission, and the drive and skill that have earned her the respect of the board and people across our campus community,” Colorado College Board of Trustees Chair Jeff Keller wrote in a separate email.
“Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Whitaker is widely recognized for her collaborative leadership style, the confidence and support she has earned from her fellow faculty, and the close working relationship she has built with our students and staff. The board and I are unanimous in our conviction that she is the ideal person to serve as interim president and advance the college’s goals over these next two critical years.”
Richardson came to Colorado College with a goal of making it a national leader in equity, inclusion and educational access. Among her initiatives over the past two years, the university began Project 2024, a series of discussions with faculty, staff, students and alumni concerning the current challenges facing higher education and CC specifically to identify the decisions, investments and commitments needed going forward.
Topics identified during this time include the health and wellbeing of the campus community, anti-racism, ensuring equity and access, protecting the environment, and prioritizing effective communication.
For the first time, CC last year received Insight Into Diversity magazine’s annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award. Colorado College was one of two institutions in Colorado to receive the award last year and one of 102 American colleges and universities in total.
Between now and her resignation, Richardson will work with Whitaker and the board to continue the college’s progress toward meeting these goals.
“We have much work to do in the months ahead, and we will do it together. When I leave Colorado College, it will be with love and appreciation that will stay with me all my life,” Richardson said.
Colorado College President L. Song Richardson speaks during the Colorado College commencement at the Ed Robson Arena on the CC campus on May 22, 2022.
Colorado College President L. Song Richardson, left, presents an honorary doctorate of humane letters to 2008 graduate Jessie Pocock during commencement at Ed Robson Arena on May 22, 2022.
Jessie Pocock, right, hugs L. Song Richardson after receiving an honorary doctor of humane letters degree at the Colorado College graduation at the Ed Robson Arena in May 2022.
L. Song Richardson