Danielle N. Ripich Biography

Danielle N. Ripich, Ph.D., assumed the University of New England presidency July 1, 2006. Prior to coming to UNE, she was the dean of the College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), where she was also a professor in the University’s College of Medicine, Department of Neurology. She is internationally known for her language research.

Dr. Ripich is UNE’s fifth president.  Under her leadership over the past five years, the university has seen substantial growth, as well as the construction of six new buildings, including a Center for Biomedical Research, the launch of a College of Pharmacy, and the 300-bed Sokokis Residence Hall in Biddeford.  The University was honored with the 2009 Economic Achievement Award from the City of Portland, and the 2010 Robert R. Masterton Award for Economic Development from the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, for its contributions to the region’s economic vitality. 

President Ripich is widely recognized for her work in child language and with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. She has written extensively in her field, including edited books, several book chapters, manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, and has served as an editorial consultant to numerous medical and language journals.

Before becoming dean at MUSC, President Ripich was chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Case Western Reserve University.

President Ripich earned a Ph.D. in speech pathology from Kent State University. She also received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech pathology from Cleveland State University.

She has served in numerous professional association leadership positions.  She is on the Board of Directors at the Maine Development Foundation, is President and Treasurer of the Maine Independent College Association, and is a member of the NCAA Division III Presidents/Chancellors Advisory Group.   She is also a member, and former President, of the Greater Portland Alliances of Colleges and Universities, and is on the Executive Board of the Maine Higher Education Council.

President Ripich has been the recipient of many honors, awards and fellowships, including a Congressional Fellowship from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  In October 2009 she was named a Fellow by the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions in recognition of her significant contributions and leadership in allied health education.