Janet Morgan Riggs

Faculty

As you learn the leadership lessons of the Battle of Gettysburg, you will reflect on leadership in today’s world and how those lessons translate. What are some of the specific challenges faced by women who aspire to leadership positions or who currently hold leadership positions? How can women support each other as they deal with these issues? Does one have to be in a leadership position to lead?

Janet Morgan Riggs served as the 14th president of Gettysburg College from 2008 until her retirement in 2019. Prior to her appointment as president of Gettysburg College, Janet worked in a variety of administrative roles, including department chairperson, executive assistant to the president, and provost. While president, Janet was active in a variety of higher education organizations. Janet returned to her alma mater in 1981 as a faculty member in the Psychology Department. She taught courses in experimental methods, social psychology, and general psychology, and published research in the areas of attitude attribution and expectancy confirmation. During her faculty career, Janet received the Student Senate Faculty Appreciation Award, the Thompson Award for Distinguished Teaching, and the Woman of Distinction Award.

Additional Background

Graduated from Gettysburg with a BA in psychology and mathematics
Received her MA and PhD in social psychology from Princeton University
Served on the board of PA Campus Compact and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of PA, which she chaired
Founding member of the PA Consortium for the Liberal Arts and chaired its board
Served on the Executive Committee of the Annapolis Group
Sat on the board of the National Association of Colleges and Universities
Published numerous articles on issues relating to higher education, and liberal arts education in particular
Now retired, Janet is leading an active life as a Gettysburg Borough citizen and proud grandmother

Faculty

Our faculty is made up of instructors and guides, many of whom are licensed battlefield guides. Instructors and guides are chosen for each session based upon the identified goals of the group.