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Burlington County College Vice President of Special Projects Dr. Beverly Richardson receives county proclamation for Hall of Fame induction

Dr. Beverly Richardson, Vice President of Special Projects at Burlington County College (BCC) received a proclamation from the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders for her recent induction into the New Jersey Women’s Hall of Fame.

“Burlington County is a better place because of Dr. Richardson’s tireless efforts to improve education and keep it accessible to everyone in our county,” said Burlington County Freeholder Bruce Garganio, who presented the proclamation on behalf of the Board of Chosen Freeholders. “Dr. Richardson brings distinction and quality programs to Burlington County College and we commend her for this well-deserved honor.”

Richardson, of Willingboro, was inducted into the New Jersey Women’s Hall of Fame last month in recognition of her contributions to education.

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Richardson came out of retirement in 2010 and has served BCC in several leadership capacities, spearheading several innovative programs geared at increasing higher education opportunities for all residents – especially underrepresented communities.

Previously, she spent 29 years at Mercer County Community College where a state-of-the-art learning center bears her name. She held several leadership positions including Dean, Provost and Vice President of College Advancement.

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“Dr. Richardson has touched countless lives in our region and continues to make a meaningful impact on students at Burlington County College,” said Burlington County College Interim President Dr. David Spang. “Dr. Richardson’s contributions are immeasurable because of her mentorship and guidance to all of her colleagues that push us to higher levels of student service.”

At BCC, Richardson led efforts to create a First Year Initiative that is helping first-time students adjust to college and persist to completion with courses on college orientation and leadership success and personalized support and guidance. She recently was instrumental in crafting programs designed to reform developmental education at BCC and a pilot program with local high schools for students to satisfy developmental requirements and begin earning college credits before their high school graduation.

Recently, BCC sent 40,000 free books to organizations serving children in need because of Richardson’s leadership in organizing BCC’s First Book Initiative. The college was the first in the nation to implement such a program.

“One of the most important things in life is service to others, and I have been blessed throughout my career to be surrounded by colleagues, friends and family members who share this belief and help to enrich countless numbers of students,” Richardson, of Willingboro, said. “This recognition is a tribute to the great teams I have been part of at both Burlington County College, and Mercer Community College, as well as thousands upon thousands of students who still inspire me every day to work hard and be creative in our efforts to improve community college education.”

Richardson, a native of Boston, has also held positions at Bentley College, Harvard Graduate School of Education and Massachusetts College of Art. As she has done throughout her career, Richardson continues to serve as an adjunct faculty member.






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