Iona College Announces New LaPenta School of Business Dean

NEW ROCHELLE, NY —Iona College has announced the appointment of Lynne Richardson as dean of the LaPenta School of Business.

Richardson comes to Iona from the University of Mary Washington, where she has served as dean of the College of Business since 2011. Richardson also briefly served as the school's chief financial officer from 2017-18. She has previously worked as the dean of the business schools at Mississippi State University and Ball State University as well.

Richardson replaces Richard Highfield, who served as interim dean since July.

“It is an honor and a privilege to welcome Dr. Richardson to Iona College,” Provost Darrel Wheeler said in a statement announcing the hiring. “I am confident her experience, coupled with her pioneering vision of academic excellence and distinctiveness, will help our students reach new heights in business, life and leadership. I also extend my deepest gratitude to Interim Dean Highfield, whose keen management helped Iona thrive despite the challenges of the pandemic.”

The LaPenta School of Business was just recognized by the Princeton Review as a “Best Business School for 2021.” It is also accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). The recognition is given to under five percent of business schools worldwide.

“I am honored to be selected as dean of the LaPenta School of Business,” Richardson said. “Everyone I interacted with during the interview process was passionate about helping Iona students reach their full potential, which is why I am in higher education. Together, we will continue to develop and nurture meaningful relationships with the business community and Iona alumni, connecting students to vital pathways for both academic and career success.”

It seems Richardson is already impressing all the right people.

Iona alumnus and trustee Robert LaPenta, who was instrumental in building the new business school that bears his name, voiced full-throated support for the newly appointed dean. LaPenta’s “transformational” endowment of $17.5 million remains the largest donation in Iona's history.

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“I am delighted that Dr. Richardson has agreed to become the new dean of Iona’s LaPenta School of Business,” LaPenta said. “Her impressive background and prior achievements will enable her to bring our highly regarded business school to an even greater level.”