Melanie Perreault, Diane Richardson named to top 100 women list

March 25, 2022

The Maryland Daily Record has honored two Towson University leaders—Melanie Perreault, Ph.D., TU’s provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs, and women’s basketball coach Diane Richardson—by naming them to the newspaper’s 2022 Top 100 Women list.

The list recognizes honorees' outstanding professional accomplishments, community leadership and mentoring. Members were selected by a panel of leaders and past honorees. 

"Dr. Perreault and Coach Richardson are outstanding leaders and this recognition speaks volumes about their impact here at Towson University and in our community," President Kim Schatzel says. "I am very fortunate to call them colleagues and I know I speak for the rest of our TU community when I say they are truly deserving of this honor and our gratitude for making our students’ success their top priority each and every day."

As the chief academic officer of the university, Perreault oversees 125 degree programs (undergraduate, master’s and doctorate) and supports more than 21,000 students; 1,700 full-time and adjunct faculty; and 200 staff and administrators. 

Perreault joined the university in 2018 and provides leadership for six academic colleges, the Honors College, the Office of Graduate Studies, the Albert S. Cook Library and the Division of Student Affairs. As provost, she facilitates university and academic affairs strategic planning, implements budget and resource allocation plans, guides innovations in academic technology, promotes faculty excellence and student success and supports curricular and program distinction.

“This award is less a recognition of me than it is a reflection of the outstanding team we have at TU,” Perreault says. “I am fortunate to work with dedicated, hard-working individuals who all believe deeply in TU’s mission.”

Richardson has been successful on the court—two postseason appearances in five seasons at TU—and in the business world. She was the founder and COO for the American Security Companies. Richardson also served as the vice president of the National Neighborhood Lending Marketing Team for Bank of America and the president and CEO of RCI Financial for several years.

She blends her CEO background into her coaching style, empowering leadership throughout the program. She is also a doctoral candidate in performance psychology at Grand Canyon University.

“I am truly honored to be among Maryland’s top 100 women,” says Richardson. “To be in a group of so many powerful and unique women is a blessing. This award signifies that our goals of commitment and change have mattered.”

Among those named to the list that are affiliated with TU: Dionne N. Curbeam, '00; Rachel B. Druckenmiller, '12; Tracey Lynette Durant (adjunct faculty member); Marianne P. Navarro, '00; Carla A. Nealy, '92; Stacey A. Rebbert, '86 and Lucy Motsay Rutishauser, '86

President Kim Schatzel has appeared on the list three times and is a member of the Circle of Excellence as a result. She was named to the list in 2021, 2019 and 2017.  

The Daily Record said winners will be celebrated during an event May 9 at The Riggs Alumni Center. TU serves as a leadership sponsor of the celebration.

"The 2022 Maryland's top 100 women are high achievers who are leading change and mentoring the next generation. They bring unique gifts to leadership roles and help advance and grow companies across this great state," says Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, senior group publisher of The Daily Record. "They are leading businesses during extraordinary times by guiding their teams from survival to ongoing success. We are pleased to celebrate these incredible women and all they have accomplished."