Volunteer Spotlight: Lindsay Devick Richardson

Lindsay Devick Richardson was born in Downers Grove, a western suburb of Chicago, as the youngest of three girls. She went to small elementary and middle schools (about 60 people in each), but she went to a huge high school (600-700 people)! She says high school was a lot of fun, she was big into sports (volleyball, track, and gymnastics), and it was nice to feel a part of something.

Next, Lindsay ventured to a school with more than 20,000 people: The University of Tennessee. “I wanted to try something different than my little bubble,” she says. It took a long time for Lindsay to figure out her major, but eventually she chose journalism. (Read: You don’t have to know what you want to be right now!)

Shortly after graduating and moving back to Chicago, Lindsay went back to school at Columbia College to get a master’s degree and teaching certificate in education. Three of Lindsay’s grandparents were teachers, which means she has good pedigree for the profession. She also flat out enjoys it. “I love hearing students’ points of view,” she says. “No matter what mood I’m in, they are energetic, full of life, and inspiring.”

Lindsay taught a third grade class as part of her education at Columbia. “I tried to be approachable to students,” she says. “In middle school, I didn’t have many teachers like that.” She says it’s also important to remember how much influence you can have over youth. “A teacher [at Columbia] once told me, ‘You never know when you’re making a memory with your students.’” We all remember the great teachers. Lindsay wants to be one of them.

At Cabrini Connections, Lindsay makes her impact as a coordinator in the College Zone. She and her co-coordinator E meet with students and their mentors to discuss postsecondary (and post-middle school) plans. “What I love about College Zone,” says Lindsay, “is you get to meet a little bit of everybody.” She says every student has something to offer and they all have great ideas and energy.

Lindsay works in education publishing at Quarasan, which is where she heard about Cabrini Connections from coworkers who are mentors (MC Nelson and Liz Jandrain). She works as an editor helping to develop textbooks. Students, if you have any suggestions, you know who to go to.

Lastly, Lindsay has a piece of personal advice from the College Zone: “It’s never too late to turn it around.” Lindsay’s grades in high school were not good, but she got As and Bs in college and all As in graduate school. If you want more where that came from, set up an appointment with the College Zone. Thanks, Lindsay!