Washington and Lee Names Beth Lucy-Speidel Associate Dean of the College

By News Office
September 10, 2019

Beth Lucy-Speidel, executive director of the SC Johnson College of Business Academic Administration and Dyson Leadership Programs at Cornell University, is the new associate dean of the college at Washington and Lee University. She will begin her work on Sept. 23.

Lucy-Speidel will serve as the College’s liaison to a variety of departments and university offices, with primary responsibilities for budgets and fiscal matters, space issues and facilities, and staff management and development.

“Beth brings broad knowledge to every aspect of the administrative associate dean position,” said Lena Hill, dean of the College. “In her previous roles, she has been both a steady hand and an adaptable, creative innovator. Beth’s experience with managing complex fiscal matters and her passion for supporting faculty and staff represent just a few of her most impressive strengths. We are fortunate to have Beth join the Dean of the College office and the W&L community.”

Lucy-Speidel holds a B.A. in disability studies from SUNY Empire State College, as well as an M.A in human resource management from Marymount University and an M.S. in nonprofit management from Eastern University. She is currently at work on her Doctorate of Strategic Leadership from Regent University.

In addition to her current role, she has served in a number of administrative leadership roles at Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business, Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, and the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County. She has extensive experience creating leadership programs, development opportunities for administrative staff, and faculty recruitment and retention programs, as well as overseeing strategic planning, program creation and execution, fiscal and budgetary management, human resources and employee engagement.

Prior to joining Cornell, Lucy-Speidel was executive director of human resource leadership awards at Marymount University’s School of Business Administration and executive director and leadership development officer of the CHEERS School Family, Inc.

She teaches courses in personal leadership, strategic management and human resource management.

“I initially became aware of W&L through athletics,” said Lucy-Speidel. “Three of my boys attend University of Lynchburg and ran against W&L on many occasions, and the integrity, sportsmanship and character of the W&L athletes immediately caught my attention. After meeting so many wonderful people during the interview process, I see now that much of what I saw on the field or track was inspired by my future colleagues. It was clear that W&L epitomizes integrity and character. I am looking forward to working with everyone and especially partnering with Dean Hill as we move the College forward.”