Cynthia Richardson is currently the Director of Student Equity Access and Advancement for Salem Keizer Public Schools.  Cynthia has served as an administrator in Texas, Nebraska and Oregon for the past twenty-two years.  Her administrative experiences include serving as principal at the elementary, middle school and high school levels.  She was the first African American high school principal in Salem, Oregon serving as principal at McKay High School from 2003-2010 and North Salem High School from 2010 – 2017.  

Mrs. Richardson has served in various leadership roles at COSA, including as a member of the executive committees of the Oregon Association of Secondary School Administrators and the Oregon Association of Central Office Administrators.  Working in collaboration with a colleague and Craig Hawkins, the COSA Equity Advisory Board was created.  Cynthia currently serves as the chairperson of the Equity Advisory Board.  A highlight of the work of the Equity Advisory Board is they hosted the Statewide Educator COSA Equity conference for two years.  Over 500 attendees attended the conferences.  Another accomplishment of the committee is they have hosted two pre-conferences for leaders of color at the COSA Seaside Conference and two Leaders of Color Lobby Days.

Cynthia serves as a leader at the state level.  She serves on Oregon’s Fair Dismissals Appeals Board, she is Chairperson of the Oregon Educator Equity Advisory Committee, a member of the  African American / Black Student Success Advisory Committee and OSAA Equity and Civil Rights in School Sponsored Activities Committee.   She is passionate about working with people to better themselves.  Her lifelong goal is to continue to be of service to others.