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PRESIDENT, VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY, RICHMOND
PRESIDENT, VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY, RICHMOND
Virginia Business// August 29, 2024//
It’s been a bumpy year for Rao and VCU, first with an ongoing dispute over VCU Health paying $73 million to exit a redevelopment project, followed in the spring by demands from some students for Rao’s removal following a violent clash between VCU police and pro-Palestinian protesters.
Former Gov. Doug Wilder called for Rao, who is president and board chair of the VCU Health System, to resign after news of the failed project and payout, and former VCU Health CEO Dr. Art Kellermann resigned at Rau’s request. In June, the state legislature’s Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission declared that the university president has too much room to influence the health system’s operations and recommended changes to its leadership structure.
VCU has more than 28,000 students across more than 220 degree and certificate programs. Rao became its president in 2009. He formerly was president of Mission College in California, chancellor of Montana State University-Northern and president of Central Michigan University.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and a doctorate from the University of Florida.
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