Quinnipiac University appoints Witherspoon & LeGault to lead new Office of Strategic Programs & Initiatives

HAMDEN, Conn. – Aug. 20, 2026 – Quinnipiac University has promoted Alison Witherspoon to vice president for strategic programs and partnerships and appointed Shannon LeGault as associate vice president for strategic programs and events as part of the creation of the new Office of Strategic Programs & Initiatives.

As vice president for strategic programs and partnerships, Witherspoon will lead the office positioned as a one stop shop to meet a range of employer needs including workforce development for incumbent employees through lifelong learning, continuing and executive education, and custom leadership development; early career and college pathways through dual enrollment, pre-college high school programs, and industry credentials; professional conference, event, and intern housing services; and coordinated expansion of multifaceted strategic partnerships.

The office develops and delivers professional development programs that help individuals build new skills and advance their careers through hands-on, real-world-relevant offerings such as AI for Business Innovation in Healthcare, Leading High-Impact Teams, Strategic Healthcare Management, Emerging Leaders and customized employee development programs, as well as future-ready workshops in areas including change management, communication and data-informed decision-making.

In addition, Witherspoon oversees Quinnipiac's growing portfolio of pre-college summer programs, which provide high school students with immersive, hands-on learning experiences in high-demand fields. Students can explore a variety of disciplines, including data science, medical microbiology, game design, entrepreneurship, creative writing, forensic science, artificial intelligence, filmmaking, sports communications, nursing and healthcare careers, helping them discover future academic and professional pathways.

The office also expands opportunities for individuals, partners, and community organizations to host conferences and events at a wide range of venues across three beautiful campuses featuring state-of-the-art facilities available year-round. Through a dedicated summer intern community, the office also provides employers with a convenient, safe, and reliable housing option for interns enabling them to focus on making the most out of their summer intern experience.

Witherspoon, of Cheshire, joined Quinnipiac in 2022 from the American College of Education, where she served as vice president of continuous improvement. She earned a doctorate in education from Arizona State University, a master's degree in public service management from DePaul University and a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University.

As associate vice president for strategic programs and events, LeGault will lead conferences and events while helping coordinate strategic initiatives across the office's expanding portfolio. She will play a key role in integrating university events, partnerships and programming that support Quinnipiac's strategic objectives.

LeGault, of Orange, joined Quinnipiac in 2024 after serving in conference and event planning roles at Yale University for more than 10 years. She earned a bachelor's degree in mass communications from Quinnipiac and holds the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credential from the Events Industry Council.

The new organizational structure reflects Quinnipiac's ongoing commitment to innovation, collaboration and creating new opportunities that enhance the university's value to students and external partners.

For more information, visit qu.edu/partnership.

About Quinnipiac University
Quinnipiac is a private, coeducational institution located 90 minutes north of New York City and two hours from Boston. The university enrolls 9,700 students in more than 100 degree programs through its Schools of Business, Communications, Education, Computing and Engineering, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing and the College of Arts & Sciences. Quinnipiac is ranked 51st in The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse “2026 Best Colleges in the U.S.” and is also recognized by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review’s “The Best 392 Colleges.” The university is expanding innovative programs for both traditional and adult learners and developing dynamic corporate partnerships. Quinnipiac recently completed a significant capital expansion on its main campus, including a state-of-the-art new School of Business and an interdisciplinary science and innovation hub. For more information, please visit qu.edu. Connect with Quinnipiac on Facebook and Instagram and follow Quinnipiac on X @QuinnipiacU.