A Quartet of Women Receive New Administrative Duties in Higher Education

Christina Olsen was appointed Class of 1955 Director of the Williams College Museum of Art. Her appointment is effective May 1. She currently serves as director of education and public programs at the Portland Art Museum in Oregon. She has held that position since 2008. Previously, she was a program officer for the Getty Foundation, where she directed the foundation’s grant programs to museums.

Dr. Olsen is a graduate of the University of Chicago. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in art history from the University of Pennsylvania.

Andrea Backman was named chief academic officer at Rasmussen College in Minneapolis. She has been serving as director of new program development and academic approvals at the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at the University of Virginia. Previously, she was senior vice provost for faculty affairs at Strayer University.

A graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Backman holds a master’s degree from DePaul University and doctorate in higher education from the University of Virginia.

Florence Richman was appointed senior vice president of nursing at Rasmussen College in Minneapolis. She was dean of nursing and special assistant to the president for academic growth in allied health and nursing at Northern Virginia Community College.

Dr. Richman is a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C. She holds master’s degrees from Averett University in Danville, Virginia, and the Catholic University of America as well as a Ph.D. in applied management and decision sciences from Walden University.

Michelle Steiner was named director of the Center for Academic Program Support (CAPS) at the University of New Mexico. She has been serving as interim director and was previously the senior program manager of CAPS.

Dr. Steiner holds a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology, all from Stony Brook University in New York.