Catherine Rider Empowers the Transformative Potential of Education in the Honors College

Content

Commonwealth Honors College (CHC) boasts a remarkable legacy of attracting exceptional talent and integrating them into the fabric of our UMass Amherst community, where they serve and enrich the experiences of our students. This week I had the privilege of engaging in a conversation with CHC’s new Executive Director of Development and Chief Development Officer, delving into her journey and the values that drive her. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s my privilege to introduce Catherine Rider and her inspiring story.

Catherine grew up in Southeast Idaho, born into a big family where she was the youngest of seven children. She experienced firsthand the transformative power of educational access, as academic scholarship support granted her the opportunity to attend Idaho State University (ISU) and pursue higher education.

Though she completed her undergraduate studies with a bachelor's of science in public health sciences — higher education administration was not her original plan. The unpredictable job market after graduation led her to spend a couple of years in various roles at a local credit union. Yet a persistent calling tugged at her heart — an unfulfilled passion for community service.

Image

Catherine at her undergraduate commencement ceremony with her mother, Emma Jean

Heeding that inner voice, Catherine decided to pursue a graduate program in athletic administration. During her time working as a graduate assistant she forged a close mentorship with a faculty member who later became interim dean of Idaho State University's College of Education. Then an email arrived from ISU's Associate Vice President of Development. They had struggled to find an ideal candidate for a director of development position within the College of Education. But Catherine's former mentor insisted she could be the perfect fit.

At that time, Catherine had no idea what she was about to step into. She shared her thought process with me, from Googling "What is a development director?" to really getting to learn what the role entailed — which is really working with donors to help raise philanthropic support for the university, for students, and for scholarships. Having benefited firsthand from someone else's philanthropy, she thought, "What a cool way for me to be in a position where I get to work with donors, and I get to help raise that money, and provide that support for students who need it just like I did."

Female Mentors Lead the Way

Reflecting on her journey, Catherine carries immense gratitude for the powerful female mentors who guided and encouraged her along the way. As she shares, being the youngest of seven children with five high-achieving sisters fostered "a really powerful tradition in my family around really high-achieving women." Her grandmother, mother, and all her sisters were college graduates — a lineage of inspiration that motivated Catherine to blaze her own remarkable path.

One particular mentor, the interim dean who had been Catherine's faculty member and graduate advisor, made an indelible impact. "She really helped me by being supportive, but also challenging me to question perspectives," Catherine recalls. "She'd push me: 'This is how you see it, but how would your view differ if your experiences were different?' It forced me to step back and consider other angles to gain a more well-rounded understanding."

This mentor's guidance taught Catherine the power of empathy and intellectual flexibility as catalysts for personal growth. Receiving not just praise, but also that provocative nudge to examine her assumptions, allowed insights to take deeper root.

Bringing Things Full Circle at the Honors College

Catherine now brings that spirit of nurturing introspection to her own leadership approach. Her gift is empowering others to find the self-belief that can feel so elusive when difficult obstacles loom. 

At the core of Catherine's drive is an unwavering belief in the transformative power of higher education — especially the vital access and opportunity that public universities provide. "I truly wouldn't be where I am today without having that educational pathway opened for me as a student," she reflects. "It has changed my life in every way."

On challenging days when motivation wanes, Catherine leans on that profound gratitude, often revisiting thank you letters from students whose lives were changed by receiving scholarship support. 

"Just reading how that financial assistance moved them one step closer to their dreams...it brings it all back home for me. This is why I do this work — to play a small part in creating those life-altering opportunities for others."

Catherine's passion for her purpose is palpable. By empowering generous donors to give back in support of shared values like accessibility to higher education, she gets to facilitate real, tangible impacts on students' lives. It's a powerful motivating force that pushes her to unlock the potential in others just as her mentors once did for her.

Perhaps most meaningful, however, was the humbling surprise she received upon departing her previous role at Idaho State University. The Dean of ISU's College of Business, Shane Hunt, established a new scholarship in Catherine and her wife Amy's honor —a gesture that moved her deeply as someone who has dedicated her career to raising funds for scholarships that open doors for students.

Catherine, her wife Amy, and Shane Hunt with the scholarship certificate at Idaho State University who surprised them with a new scholarship in their names on her last day of work at ISU before coming to UMass

It is with this blend of experience, accomplishment and profound gratitude that Catherine arrived at UMass Amherst and the Commonwealth Honors College. Catherine's move to UMass Amherst was driven by her deep respect for Massachusetts' leadership in education and her eagerness to be part of that legacy. "I was really excited about the opportunity to work at UMass because I think Massachusetts is a leader for education in the country," she shares. "And so I was really excited to be a part of that and to be able to help support the people of this great state."

Beyond the Commonwealth's educational reputation, Catherine was also drawn by the chance to collaborate with and learn from the exceptional leaders at UMass, like CHC Dean Mari Castañeda. "There are so many incredible people with amazing experiences that I'm learning from them every day," Catherine remarks. A quote she lives by - "you are who you meet" - underscores how profoundly her interactions shape her personal and professional growth.

Image

Commonwealth Honors College has gained a force of nature in Catherine Rider: a leader whose impact extends far beyond her remarkable professional accomplishments. At her core, Catherine embodies the qualities she hopes to inspire in others: empathy, authenticity, integrity. "Really trying to be understanding and recognize different perspectives and experiences" is hugely important to her approach. So too is clear, trustworthy communication that strengthens relationships.

As Catherine grows her team, she aims to lead from a place of kindness and compassion, empowering those around her just as her mentors once did. UMass has gained not just another leader, but a source of contagious motivation to keep striving for new heights.