When Erin Quinn first stepped onto the University of Richmond’s campus, she didn’t realize she was about to make a decision that would resonate decades later. She was simply on a college tour with her mom, who Erin said was panicked because she hadn’t yet picked a college.

Erin knew nothing about the University of Richmond. Back in the early 1990s, there was no internet to research the school, and she hadn’t even received a college brochure. They had come for a visit after her mom’s friend casually suggested they check out the campus. As mother and daughter stepped out of the car after the long drive up I-95 from Florida and walked around the lake, Erin said she remembers thinking one simple thought.

“This is it.”

A mother’s choice, a daughter’s journey

Erin thrived at UR, majoring in business administration with a double concentration in marketing and finance. She loved the professors at the Robins School of Business, remembering how they both challenged and cared for her.

During her senior year in 1997, Erin attended a University-sponsored job fair, where she was offered a position with an IT company in the D.C. area. She took it. One opportunity led to another, and Erin said she eventually became the first female employee to serve as the chief enterprise architect of the United States Secret Service.

“Everything I’ve achieved, I can trace right back to Richmond,” said Erin. “Every single thing. It all started with those classes, and that first job that UR helped me secure.”

Erin stepped away from her career for eight years to raise her children. The family regularly returned to Richmond for football games, and the campus soon became a familiar place. But even Erin was surprised when her daughter, Elizabeth, declared she would be applying to UR early decision.

“I guess I put all my eggs in one basket,” said Elizabeth, “but when I started looking at colleges, I kept thinking how right UR was. I wanted a small, in-state school, and honestly, I wanted a pretty campus. I was like, I cannot go to a school with an ugly campus.”

Walking in her footsteps, but creating her own way

While Erin may have been surprised by Elizabeth’s determined stance to attend UR, she certainly wasn’t disappointed. “Honestly, I wanted to visit Richmond last as a grand finale, but Elizabeth had other plans,” said Erin. “I knew she needed a liberal arts school because she’s good at so many things. And I’m 100% confident Richmond will give her what she needs to succeed.”

Now in her first year, Elizabeth said, that while she remembers the many times her mother showed her around campus, telling what the family jokingly calls “back in my day” stories, she’s been exploring the campus on her own.

Elizabeth is also planning to major in business, and she has a professor this semester who taught when her mom was there. But almost 30 years later, there is a marked difference in their day-to-day educational experience at UR.

“I was reading Dante’s Inferno in a gen ed class my freshman year,” said Erin.

“And I’m taking MTV Music History,” Elizabeth chimed in.

Looking Forward

As Erin reenters the IT and government consulting world, she views her daughter’s Richmond experience with a fresh perspective.

“I’m so proud of her,” said Erin. “It’s harder to get into Richmond now than it was when I was there, and that makes it even more meaningful.”

Meanwhile, Elizabeth is settling into campus life with ease. She’s made friends in her hall and is enjoying both her classes and the social rhythm of her first year.

“I think now that both my mom and I have been here, when I do eventually have kids, I’m just going to tell them, you’re going to Richmond,” said Elizabeth. “There will be no college touring. You’re carrying on the torch.”