The University of Montevallo has appointed Dr. Lynne Richardson ’80 as interim dean of the Michael E. Stephens College of Business for the next two years. Richardson will lead the college through its AACSB accreditation process and assist with the search for a new dean who will lead the college beginning January 2026.
“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.”
Richardson has served as dean of several reputable business schools during her career in higher education, including the University of Mary Washington (a fellow COPLAC school), Iona University, Mississippi State University and Ball State University. She has been praised for her wide range of business, finance and leadership experience, and spent most of the past two decades as a business school administrator. Her focus is on leadership development as well as effective and innovative organizational management.
Throughout most of her professional career, Richardson has been active in AACSB International, which accredits and provides professional development services to business schools in about 100 countries. She has served two terms on the AACSB Board of Directors (including on the Finance and Investment Committee), served on over 30 peer review teams and founded the organization’s seminar “Lessons for Aspiring Deans.” The latter, which was offered for over 20 years under Richardson’s tutelage, was a critical resource and inspiration for future business school leaders across the globe. She also served as a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Board of Governors.
“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.”
Richardson earned her B.S. in marketing from Montevallo, along with an MBA from UAB and a Ph.D. in marketing from The University of Alabama. She has also completed two Harvard University certificate programs: Management and Leadership in Education (2003) and Institute for Educational Management (2018).
Stepping down from the dean position is Dr. Amiee Mellon, who will return to her full-time faculty position as an associate professor of marketing.
