Andrea Young Will Be the First Woman to Lead Ripon College in Wisconsin in Its 170-Year History

Andrea Young will serve as the interim president of Ripon College in Wisconsin beginning in January 2022. As the first woman to lead Ripon College in its 170-year history, she will replace Zach Messitte, who announced that he would be stepping down as Ripon’s 13th president at the end of the fall semester.

Ripon College enrolls slightly more than 800 students, according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Department of Education. Women make up 53 percent of the student body.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve Ripon College as the interim president,” Dr. Young said. “I have seen firsthand the transformative potential of a Ripon College education, and I am deeply committed to promoting our student-centered approach to living and learning.”

Dr. Young currently serves as vice president for finance and director of strategic initiatives at the college. She oversees the business, financial, and information technology functions of the institution. Prior to her role as vice president for finance, Dr. Young served as the acting dean of faculty for a semester and received promotion and tenure to be an associate professor of mathematics in 2016.

Dr. Young earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in Italian from Pennsylvania State University. She holds a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin.