Danielle Ripich

Danielle Newberry Ripich (born March 4, 1945) is a retired American academic who served as president of the University of New England, Maine, from 2006 to 2017. She has a background in speech pathology and communication studies.

Ripich was born and raised in Portsmouth, Ohio, the daughter of two schoolteachers. She studied speech pathology at Cleveland State University, completing a B.A. and M.A., and later received a Ph.D. from Kent State University.[1] Ripich joined the faculty of Case Western Reserve University in 1982, and was elevated to a full professorship in 1994. She was initially chair of the Department of Communication Studies, and later associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1999, she joined the Medical University of South Carolina as dean of the College of Health Professions.[2]

In July 2006, Ripich took office as president of the University of New England. As president, she oversaw the development of a new campus in Tangier, Morocco, and the openings of new colleges of pharmacy and dental medicine.[3] Enrolment swelled from 4,000 students at the beginning of her tenure to 12,000 at the end.[4] In May 2016, Ripich announced her intention to leave office in June 2017.[5] Senators Susan Collins and Angus King issued a joint statement "thanking her for all that she has done to advance higher education in Maine".[6]

  1. ^ 2016 Mainebiz Nonprofit Business Leader of the Year: University of New England President Danielle Ripich, Mainebiz, March 21, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  2. ^ Dr. Ripich’s Debut, Maine Ahead, May 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  3. ^ UNE president Danielle Ripich plans ‘a real retirement’ next year, The Portland Press Herald, May 10, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  4. ^ Danielle N. Ripich, Ph.D., University of New England. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  5. ^ UNE President Danielle Ripich to step down in 2017, University of New England, May 10, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  6. ^ Collins, King Statement on Retirement Announcement from UNE President Danielle Ripich, Senator Angus King, May 10, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2017.