Education 2025: RAO, MICHAEL

After a bumpy year for Rao and VCU in 2024 — first an ongoing dispute over VCU Health paying $73 million to exit a redevelopment project, followed in the spring by a violent clash between VCU police and pro-Palestinian protesters — the Richmond-based school had some good news.

The school announced plans to convert the Siegel Center into Richmond’s largest indoor concert venue to generate revenue for student-athlete compensation. In 2024, VCU also surpassed $500 million in sponsored research funding for health, sustainability and equity initiatives. In 2025, though, the school reported losing about $39.6 million in federal grants amid massive spending cuts by the new Trump administration. In 2024, VCU became the first Virginia university to offer a minor in artificial intelligence.

VCU has more than 28,000 students across more than 220 degree and certificate programs. Rao became its president in 2009, and his contract has been extended through 2030. He formerly was president of Mission College in California, chancellor of Montana State University-Northern and president of Central Michigan University.

TRAITS I ADMIRE: Empathy, sincerity, commitment to others

FAVORITE FASHION ACCESSORY: Flip-flops

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