As a high school student in the late 1980s, Andrew Rich contemplated where he would attend college. After conversations with his parents, one of whom was a college professor, he knew he’d likely end up on a liberal arts campus. One option included Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but he chose the University of Richmond.

UR stood out as the perfect fit for its academic rigor and size, he said. It was also just the right distance from his home in Newark, Delaware. “It was the only school I applied for an early decision. We visited, and I just fell in love with the place,” said Rich, a 1992 graduate.

Now, more than three decades later, after building a career in higher education, policy, and leadership, Rich will step onto the campus of Franklin & Marshall as its 17th president, starting in July. As he prepares to lead the college, he brings a wealth of experience and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of a liberal arts education — something rooted in his days in Richmond.

Soon after arriving at UR, Rich’s academic path took a few unexpected turns. “I actually applied thinking I’d major in business,” he recalled. “That lasted about five minutes.”

Working on a U.S. Senate campaign before college ignited his passion for politics, and he quickly pivoted to political science. He discovered an immersive educational experience that included small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a network of mentors that would help shape his career. Political science professors Dan Palazzolo and the late John Whelan, one of the department’s four founding faculty members, played pivotal roles in Rich’s education.

“Dan took me under his wing, and he was the one who really inspired me to think about getting a Ph.D.,” Rich said.

Collaborating with Palazzolo on a research paper about Congress and the budget process became a defining moment of Rich’s undergraduate career. After co-presenting the paper at a political science conference in Chicago, Rich realized he would likely be following in his father’s footsteps as a college professor.

He also found opportunities for experiential learning, which he said demonstrate how classroom knowledge goes hand-in-hand with practical application. After a political internship allowed him to work with U.S. Congressman Tom Carper, he took a semester off to serve as Carper’s driver during a reelection campaign. “I didn’t study abroad. I went to Delaware,” Rich said with a chuckle, “but it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Scholarship, Think Tanks, and Leadership

After earning his doctorate in political science from Yale University, Rich embarked on a traditional academic career, holding faculty positions at Wake Forest University and later at the City College of New York. His research focused on the relationship between democracy and capitalism, more specifically on how think tanks influence public policy and political discourse.

In 2009, Rich left academia to put his research into action by becoming president of the Roosevelt Institute, a think tank dedicated to reshaping economic policy. There, he collaborated with scholars, including Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz, to develop new economic frameworks that challenged existing financial structures. Under his leadership, the Institute emerged as a significant force in policy circles and launched a national student network focused on policy leadership.

Rich later led the Truman Foundation, which cultivates public service leaders, before he returned to higher education as dean of CCNY’s Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership. Throughout these experiences, he remained committed to an overarching principle: higher education must prepare students not only for careers but also for their roles as engaged citizens.

Liberal Arts as the Future of Higher Education

As he assumes the presidency at F&M, Rich views his role as both an educator and a steward of democratic ideals. “Liberal arts colleges are at the heart of how we develop the next generation of citizens,” he said. “It’s about critical thinking, writing, leadership, and preparing students for careers that will be varied and unpredictable.”

He acknowledges that higher education faces challenges, but believes institutions like F&M are uniquely positioned to thrive. “This college has a reputation for innovation, for being deeply engaged in its community, and for truly valuing what a liberal arts education can do,” he said.

Rich encourages today’s students — whether at Richmond, F&M or elsewhere — to seek out the types of mentoring experiences that shaped his career and vision. “Richmond changed my life because of the faculty who took an interest in me,” he said.

“Find those professors who push you, challenge you, and open doors for you. Those relationships can shape your path in ways you can’t even imagine.”