Glenda E. Ridgely, Lander University's new vice president for business and administration, is succinct when describing what she likes about her job.
"It's the marking of progress," she says.
She hopes to be around not only long enough to mark the opening of the Jeff May Complex for recreation, wellness and sports, which is now under construction, but the updating of the facility, too.
It's all part of what she calls "pushing forward the goals of the institution."
The Alexandria, Va., native emerged as the top candidate for Lander's VP position on the strength of a resume that includes 13 years as budget director and assistant budget director at James Madison University in Virginia.
From 2001 until 2004, she held similar positions at the University of South Carolina, where she oversaw budget development and fiscal planning for a $762 million operating budget.
Ridgely was assistant dean for financial affairs for USC's College of Arts and Sciences for five years prior to coming to Lander.
As vice president, Ridgely will not only be responsible for Lander's $35.5 million budget, but also the bookstore, business office, engineering services, equestrian center, human resources, information technology services, post office, physical plant, printing services and procurement.
Although Lander is smaller than USC, Ridgely will be responsible for operations that she was not directly involved with at USC. As she puts it, "I'll have to wear more hats."
Her top priority, she said, is "meeting the educational and housing needs of our record fall enrollment."
Lander's emphasis on undergraduate education was a big part of what attracted her to the Upstate university. She spoke of the satisfaction she gets from seeing students come in as freshmen, then go on to graduate.
"I thoroughly enjoy and take pride in undergraduate education," she said. "It's the undergraduate program that I care the most about."
Lander's "dynamic administration" was another reason for her interest.
"I honestly believe I have a gifted staff already in place," she said.
It didn't hurt that Ridgely and her husband, Walter, the treasurer at Presbyterian College, were already living on Lake Greenwood.
Lander President Daniel Ball praised Ridgely's "combination of engagement skills in dealing with people, her budgetary acumen and her ability to learn quickly."
"She has undertaken a very complex job with enthusiasm and commitment," he said.
"She will assist our campus in becoming an even better place for our students, faculty and staff to live and to learn."