Melissa Richards

Brainstormer, Change Agent, Connector, Consultant, Entrepreneur, Event planner, Explorer, Foodie, Idea generator, Life mentor, Marketer, Parent, Philanthropist, Policy maker, Writer/Editor

Melissa Richards serves as Vice President for Communications at St. Lawrence University and oversees all aspects of University Communications. Most recently before joining SLU in 2015, she held the position of University Relations Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Publications at Virginia Tech. She has 23 years of global experience in communications, public relations, integrated marketing strategy, new media, sales, special events, and strategic alliances. Melissa earned a Master of Public Administration at Virginia Tech and a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Virginia. She is a frequent presenter at national, regional, and local events.

colleges and universities, children's museums, regional arts and culture, writing, film, entrepreneurship, travel, cooking

My self-penned motto: “Every woman needs her own checking account, Swiss Army knife and sense of self - with these things she can do anything on her own.”

communications, events, higher education, integrated marketing communications, magazine publishing, marketing, marketing analytics, marketing strategy, networking, print publications, public administration, public relations, public speaking, social media, start-ups

I co-founded TEDxVirginiaTech in Blacksburg, Virginia. I served on the executive committee for three years (2012-2014).

Cooking