We are honored to welcome Pennsylvania's Secretary of Transportation Leslie S. Richards as our speaker for the Fall 2016 graduation exercises. Secy. Richards was unanimously confirmed to her role in May 2015 and brings over two decades of public and private sector experience to the position. Her expertise at a women's-owned civil engineering firm as a senior project manager saw her involved with infrastructure improvements and strategic planning. She also served as vice chair on the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, and headed up the transportation and planning initiatives in Pennsylvania's third largest county. Earlier this month, she received Female Innovator of the Year for a Government or Non-Profit with 2,500 employees or more and Female Executive of the Year in the same category in the international Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

"Secretary Richards is an outstanding role model for our graduating seniors. Moving from the private sector to public service is very inspirational," says College of Engineering Dean Dr. Keya Sadeghipour. "Many students who graduated from the College of Engineering have gone to work for the Department of Transportation and other agencies, benefiting all the Commonwealth's citizens with their expertise and dedication. It's an honor to host Secy. Richards and recognize the great relationship her department and our College enjoys."