Biography

Dr. Richard L. Riccardi is the Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Student Success for the Department of Higher Education (DHE) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  As the Chief Academic Officer for the DHE, he is an executive thought-leader, advancing the transformation of public higher education across fifteen community colleges, nine state universities and five University of Massachusetts campuses.  He earned his Sc.D. in Management Information Systems from the University of New Haven and received his Master of Science degree in Research and Measurement and Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Southern Connecticut State University.  He previous served as the Assistant Vice Chancelor for Academic Affairs for Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and Senior Associate Provost and Dean of Libraries at Rider University as well as the Interim Chief Information Officer.  He joined Rider after working in the Connecticut State University System for over 27 years.  He began as a Systems Analyst at the System Office before transitioning to a similar role at his alma mater.  He then served as Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies and Continuing Education, Assistant Vice President for Banner Project Implementation, Director of the Office of Management Information and Research, and Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness.  During that time, he also served on an interim basis as Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Library Director.  While serving as an administrator, Dr. Riccardi also taught as an adjunct in three different disciplines.

Dr. Riccardi serves on the editorial board of the journal Academic Leader, the Data Policy Advisory Group for the Association of Institutional Research, and the advisory board for the National Study of Instructional Costs and Productivity (Delaware Cost Study).  He has presented at regional and national conferences and published numerous articles on topics such as enrollment management, student and program assessment, shared governance, data stewardship, collegiality, and the responsibilities of department chairs.  He was recently invited to speak on creating a data-informed culture at the University Business Higher Education Leadership Summit and the Leadership in Higher Education Conference.