TRAFFORD, Pa.--Dr. Kathy Brittain Richardson, President at Westminster College, will serve as chair of the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Presidents' Council for the 2026-27 academic year. Dr. Richardson's term as PAC Presidents' Council Chair began on July 1.
Dr. Richardson succeeds Elizabeth MacLeod Walls, Ph.D., President at Washington & Jefferson College, who served as the PAC Presidents' Council chair in 2025-26.
"I am honored to be serving again as Chair of the Presidents' Council," Dr. Richardson said. "The Conference upholds the principles of NCAA Division III athletics, honoring the importance of the scholar-athlete model. I look forward to a rewarding year working with my fellow presidents and the outstanding Conference Commissioner and his staff as we support the growth and education of our students in the classroom and through competition."
In addition to chairing the PAC Presidents' Council this year, Dr. Richardson was just named to the NCAA Division III Presidents/Chancellors' Advisory Group representing the PAC. Her term of service continues through January, 2029. The advisory group was established in response to the Division III Presidents Council's desire to more directly and effectively engage presidents and chancellors in governance discussions at the national, conference and institutional levels.
The primary objective of the advisory group includes enhance the level of understanding by presidents/chancellors in the NCAA governance process related to key issues facing Division III; enhance the leadership of presidents/chancellors in the governance of intercollegiate athletics at the national, conference and institutional levels, with special emphasis placed on key legislative proposals, policies and strategic direction; and enhance the integration of athletics programs within the educational mission of Division III institutions and conferences, with emphasis placed on strategic initiatives implemented through the Division III Strategic Plan.
Dr Richardson has served as Westminster's President since July 1, 2016. Her time at Westminster has been highlighted by more than $50 million in campus improvements, including the renovation and expansion of the Hoyt Science Center, the addition of three new athletic fields and renovations in the Memorial Field House, Thompson-Clark Hall, Wallace Memorial Chapel, McGill Library, and the McKelvey Campus Center. A master of business administration program was added, as was the bachelor of science in nursing degree. New programs in lacrosse, acrobatics and tumbling, and competitive cheer have been added to Westminster's athletic offerings.
The theme of Dr. Richardson's presidency has focused on the "We in Westminster," emphasizing collaborative networks and the collective responsibility that arises out of a college education. To this end, Dr. Richardson has been an important partner across the Pittsburgh region and Commonwealth. She was presented with the inaugural Civic Leader of the Year Impact Award from the Forward Lawrence Chamber and Economic Alliance in 2024. She has served on boards of directors for the Lawrence County Regional Chamber and the Economic Development Corporation, the Economic Development Corporation of New Wilmington, the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities, and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania. She was recognized in City and State Pennsylvania magazine's 2022 and 2023 Higher Education Power 100.
Dr. Richardson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Religion/Philosophy, summa cum laude, from Shorter College, a master's degree in journalism and a doctorate in mass communication from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. She has completed additional graduate coursework in communication at the University of Oklahoma and at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Westminster administration will serve as chairs for all PAC Councils for the 2026-27 academic year. Jason Lener will chair the PAC Athletic Administrators Council, while Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) Tammy Swearingen will serve as Chair of the PAC Senior Woman Administrator Council. Additionally, the PAC Faculty Athletic Representatives Association will be led by Prof. Jesse Ligo, Jr., Professor of Accounting.
Joe Onderko will continue serving the PAC as its commissioner in 2026-27, his 21st year as the league's chief administrator. Onderko's staff in the conference office includes Brian Rose, who is starting his fourth full year as the Associate Commissioner/Director of Communications, and Kristin Consuegra, who is beginning her fifth year as the Assistant Commissioner for Governance and Championships. The conference office also adds Molly Malachow this year, as she begins a 20-month internship as an Assistant Director through the NCAA Pathway to Excellence Grant program for 2026-27 and 2027-28 academic years.
Currently composed of 13 select private institutions – Allegheny College, Bethany College, Chatham University, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Geneva College, Grove City College, Hiram College, Saint Francis University, Saint Vincent College, Thiel College, Washington & Jefferson College, Waynesburg University and Westminster College – the PAC remains a unique organization in this day of high-pressure intercollegiate athletics, with academics at the center of each member's philosophy. Case Western Reserve University has competed as an affiliate member in the sport of football since 2012.
Saint Francis University, which was announced as the PAC's 13th full-time member in March, 2025, began full PAC membership with all voting and membership rights on July 1, 2025. As Saint Francis transitions to Division III—a process that will take two to three years to complete—the Red Wolves will have full schedules in all applicable PAC sports, beginning with the 2026-27 season. Saint Francis will not be eligible for PAC Championships or compete in Conference Championship Tournaments in basketball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, lacrosse, baseball & softball until they are approved for active Division III membership by the NCAA. Red Wolves' programs in sports such as cross country, golf, swimming and diving and indoor and outdoor track and field will be able to compete at PAC Championships starting this year but will not be eligible for all-conference recognition.
In lieu of All-PAC honors, Saint Francis athletes in all sports will be eligible for PAC Coaches Honors, an equivalent to All-PAC, until their transition to NCAA Division III status is complete.
In addition to welcoming Saint Francis to the conference schedule, the PAC will also hold a women's wrestling championship for the first time in February, 2027. That PAC now crowns league champions and awards all-conference honors in 25 championship sports, including 13 men's sports and 12 women's.
--Contributed by the PAC
