Charleita M. Richardson ’00 found starting college was an adjustment for her—a fact she attributes, in part, to being a student of color who felt out of place at times in her early days. But she credits the support of the Randolph-Macon faculty and staff for guiding her through the transition. “It was that family environment that allowed me to adjust,” Richardson explained. From there, she got involved on campus as much as she could, allowing her leadership skills to develop and shine.

Today, her support of the College aims to lift up other students like she was.

“Because I know Randolph-Macon gave so much to me, I believe it’s important that I give back to the school to support other students who are like me, who were that first-generation student coming on campus, that student from a single-parent household, trying to figure it out,” Richardson said.

Richardson views her time at RMC as foundational to her professional success, which has been focused on quality educational experiences through the non-profit sector. An accounting major, she was the first Black woman ever to serve as the senior class speaker at Commencement. She has led three non-profits, each focused on college access and children, and was awarded Randolph-Macon’s Non-Profit Executive of the Year Award in 2022. This fall, Richardson returned to her hometown Richmond to become the President and CEO of Cristo Rey Richmond High School.

She is looking forward to being closer to RMC’s Ashland campus, where Richardson has been involved in the Multicultural Alumni Association, on the Racial Equity and Opportunity Commission, and as a member of the Society of Alumni Board. Her financial support of RMC is both short-term and looks to the future. In addition to annual gifts, she is a member of RMC’s Heritage Society, which honors those who include the College in their estate plans. Her planned gift ensures that her support for Randolph-Macon’s students will continue long-term.

“For me, it’s about leaving a legacy,” Richardson said. “In the end, I want to leave this world better than when I came in.”