Virginia Commonwealth University students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to meet Michael Rao, Ph.D., who will become VCU's fifth president on July 1, at one of the following sessions:

Monroe Park Campus
Wednesday, March 4, 4:15 p.m.
Sonia Vlahcevic Hall, W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts

MCV Campus
Thursday, March 5, 4 p.m.
Hermes A. Kontos Medical Sciences Building auditorium

Rao will offer remarks and answer questions before meeting faculty, staff and students at receptions following both sessions.

Rao, 42, comes to VCU with the experience of three successful presidencies at universities of increasing size and complexity.

“Michael Rao’s accomplishments are remarkable,” said VCU Rector Tom Rosenthal. “Members of the board, the Presidential Search Committee and others representing university groups who have met Mike are excited about the energy, enthusiasm and intelligence he will bring to VCU as its fifth president.”

Rosenthal said the board’s decision was unanimous and comes after an extensive process that sought input from the entire university community about VCU’s future and the type of person who should be its next president. A 17-member, university-wide presidential search committee used that information as it conducted a national search and forwarded recommendations to the VCU Board of Visitors.

“I am truly honored to be appointed VCU’s next president. This is the only position I have pursued, and it is because VCU is a dynamic and diverse university in a vibrant city,” Rao said. “It is very clear that VCU is an institution of opportunity with great momentum. I am excited to work with all its stakeholders to carry that momentum forward as we fulfill an important mission as a leading urban research university, with high quality, well-integrated academic programs and a preeminent academic medical center.”

Virginia Commonwealth University President-elect Mike Rao visited with students, faculty and staff on Wednesday and Thursday, March 4 and 5, during his first return visit to the campus since his appointment was announced last month.

Rao, who takes over as president of Virginia’s largest university on July 1, was meeting both days with groups on the Monroe Park Campus and the MCV Campus. He spoke of his impression of VCU and how its diversity, the scope of research and the commitment to the community appealed to him.

“I’m very excited about the diversity of Richmond,” Rao said. “There is a unique opportunity for VCU to make connections with the community — the community is an exceptional resource. You can do what you do nationally very well and still advance opportunities in the region and at home.”

After each forum, he fielded questions regarding gender diversity of faculty, how his administration will engage with students and how he plans to move the strategic plan forward.

“I’m truly looking forward to hearing what you think we should do together to continue moving the university forward,” said Rao, calling the forums “the beginning of a really good conversation.”

Rao, 42, currently is president of Central Michigan University. At VCU, he also will be president of the VCU Health System and a tenured professor in the VCU School of Education.

He was selected to follow VCU President Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., who is retiring June 30 after 19 years at the helm. Trani will remain at VCU as University Distinguished Professor.