- Michael Rao
-
Dr. Michael Rao 
Virginia Commonwealth University Term 2009 – Present Predecessor Eugene P. Trani Successor NA Alma mater University of Florida
University of South FloridaProfession Academic Administrator Spouse Monica Rao Children Miguel Rao, Aiden Rao Dr. Michael Rao is the president of Virginia Commonwealth University, and the former President of Central Michigan University. He was selected to be the President of VCU in 2009.
From 2000-2009, Michael Rao served as the President of Central Michigan University where he focused on raising academic performance at all levels at the university; he helped to expand research appropriations, improve clinical care, and to strengthen the undergraduate experience. Lastly he also strived to improve master’s and doctoral degree programs.[1]
Contents
Career
Some of his academic work involving phenothiazine drugs is published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry. His work continues occasionally with an analytical chemist with whom he examines properties of hyperbranched polymers designed for drug delivery.
He has been an administrator for twenty years. He began his career at an American Association of Universities (AAU) institution. In the private sector, he served thirty clients in higher education before becoming a dean.
Dr. Rao was assistant to the president at the University of Florida. He later served as a dean (1992–1994) and as president (1994–1998) of Mission College in California. He then served as chancellor of Montana State University - Northern. In 2000 at the age of 34, Rao was chosen president at Central Michigan. Much of his current work focuses on interdisciplinary academic program development, economic development through commercialization of research, fundraising for the university, and outreach to the Central Michigan region.
In 2009 Dr. Rao became President of Virginia Commonwealth University located in Richmond, Virginia.
Activities & Associations
President Rao is a former member of the Strategic Economic Investment and Commercialization Board, part of a $2 billion job creation plan, and recently was appointed chair of the Measures of Success subcommittee. He also served as director of the Michigan Educational Trust. Rao is a past member of the board of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and serves on committees of the National Association for State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC). He also was a member of a subcommittee of the Cherry Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth. Rao serves as chair of the Mid-American Conference Council of Presidents and has chaired an NCAA Membership Certification Peer Review Team.
Family
Dr. Rao is a native of Florida. He is married to Monica Rao, an artist and graphic designer. They have two sons, Miguel and Aiden.
Monica Rao served as the University Outreach Liaison at CMU; she is a graduate of an Indian polytechnic university and Central Michigan University.
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of South Florida.
- Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Florida.
Controversy
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 that Rao asks employees who work in his office to sign an unusual confidentiality agreement that bars them from talking about what they observe about him or his family to anyone including "clergy and attorneys, or to any other person not otherwise identified." "Any such violation or anticipated violation" of the agreement would entitle Rao to seek "injunctive relief" in Richmond or Henrico counties.[2]
VCU's official response is below:
Subject: Message from the Rector and President
Date: 11/17/2010
To the University and VCU Health System communities:
Virginia Commonwealth University has been the subject of several local news stories lately. The topic is a personnel matter that unfortunately was played out in public. The work of the university is more important than ever and is our number one priority. We remain committed along with you to providing a quality education for our students, advancing new knowledge through our research, and serving our community and patients with the care and respect that all deserve.
Sincerely,
Panny Rhodes, Rector, Virginia Commonwealth University
Michael Rao, President, Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU Health SystemOn December 3, 2010 Rao "rescinded the confidentiality agreements he required employees working in his office to sign." [3]
References
External links
Categories:- Central Michigan University
- University of Florida alumni
- University of South Florida alumni
- Living people
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
