VCU president receives prestigious alumni award from University of South Florida – VCU News

By Brian McNeill

Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao, Ph.D., has been named a recipient of the University of South Florida’s 2022 USF Alumni Award, which acknowledges alumni who’ve achieved the top of success of their careers.

“It’s not an exaggeration to say I would not be where I am or who I am without the University of South Florida, and the people here,” Rao stated whereas accepting the respect this month. “I grew up not that far away, in Dade City – very small at the time, very rural. I didn’t know anyone who had gone to college, and no one understood why I would want to.”

He recalled how nobody had ready him for faculty, however he was embraced by USF’s nurturing surroundings. The college reworked his life, he stated, offering him with a supportive surroundings during which he realized to conduct analysis and gained the arrogance to study and synthesize advanced subjects.

“That confidence that I could learn and solve difficult problems, that made all the difference. And that has shaped my life ever since. It’s why I stayed in school. It’s why I gravitated toward higher education as a career,” he stated. “And it’s why I was drawn to Virginia Commonwealth University, which is very similar to USF. I really want us to be the model of a publicly accessible research university.”

Rao, who graduated from USF with a level in chemistry in 1987, started his profession in larger training in California in 1992, when he grew to become president of Mission College. At the time, he was the youngest faculty president within the nation. He went on to function chancellor of Montana State University – Northern and president of Central Michigan University.

In 2009, Rao grew to become the primary president of VCU and VCU Health System. Under his management, VCU has diminished the commencement hole for underrepresented populations, educating and graduating extra Pell-eligible and first-technology college students than its counterparts in Virginia whereas reaching nationwide prominence for exemplary lecturers, creativity, analysis and innovation.

In saying its 2022 Alumni Award recipients, USF acknowledged Rao and two different alums as “renowned graduates who became groundbreaking standard-bearers in their respective fields.” Presented by the USF Alumni Association since 1976, the Distinguished Alumni awards are the best honors bestowed upon former college students for skilled achievement. Two service awards confer USF’s highest honors for former college students and non-alumni who’ve demonstrated excellent dedication and repair to USF and the Tampa Bay space.