VCU president to chair American Council on Education

Michael Rao, president of Virginia Commonwealth University, has been elected chair of the American Council on Education Board of Directors, the council announced Tuesday.

Rao, VCU’s fifth president, has been at the helm of the university — and VCU Health System — since 2009. He was selected as ACE’s chair Tuesday during ACE’s business meeting and his term will begin in March. Rao, who currently serves as ACE vice chair, is being passed the baton by a fellow Richmonder, Ronald A. Crutcher, the University of Richmond’s president emeritus. Rao’s term as chair will last a year.

“In these turbulent and challenging times, ACE’s work to convene, organize, mobilize and lead advocacy efforts that shape effective public policy and help colleges and universities best serve their students, their communities and the wider public good has never been more important,” ACE President Ted Mitchell said in a statement. “I deeply appreciate Michael’s … commitment, leadership and willingness to serve … and I want to express my utmost gratitude to Ron for all he has done over the past year for ACE and the entire higher education community.”

ACE convenes, organizes, mobilizes and leads advocacy efforts that shape public policy and assist colleges and universities. It represents more than 1,700 colleges and universities.