Professor Richardson earned his Ph. D. in mathematics and psychology from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, an M.S. in mathematics as well as a B.S. Ed. in mathematics from Northwestern State University of Louisiana. He was a fellow of the John F. Kennedy Institute for School Learning and Individual Differences for three years at Peabody College. Richardson has taught in the mathematics departments of Louisiana State University- Shreveport, University of Tennessee- Nashville, University of Nebraska and Wiley College. He taught and served as chair of the high school mathematics department at the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts. From 1993-98 he was Director of the Center for Excellence in Metropolitan Education at UM-St. Louis. He was Director of the Mathematics Enhancement Program from 1989-1993.He directed the Office of Research and External Funding in the College of Education from 2002-12.