Michael Rao to be VCU’s fifth president

The VCU board of visitors unanimously voted for Michael Rao to succeed 69-year-old President Eugene P. Trani who is leaving in June. Rao is the current president of Central Michigan University.

A crowd of VCU faculty, staff and students gathered in the meeting center on campus to welcome the new VCU president-elect.

Rao, 42, will be breaking his eight-year contract with CMU, which was signed in December 2008 before interviewing with VCU. After nine years at CMU, he will start July 1 as VCU’s fifth president.

“I am very pleased with the appointment of Michael Rao to be my successor,” Trani told VCU public relations. “I am impressed with his experience and the energy he will bring to one of the best jobs there is. The board and the search committee have found the right person to continue VCU’s transformation as a world-class university and academic medical center.”

CMU Student Government President Paul Pribgeon said he is sad to see Rao go. Pribgeon said he will remember Rao for his caring and positive relationship with students and his efforts to communicate directly with students as much as possible.

Pribgeon said Rao would hold a question and answer session with the SGA at least once a year.

“Students should expect president Rao to take what they are saying seriously,” Pribgeon said.

According to a VCU press release, Rao’s employment package includes a $275,000 signing bonus. He will have to repay $200,000 of if he leaves within five years. Rao will also receive compensation of a $60,000 housing allowance, $66,500 in deferred compensation, and use of a car. His annual compensation from VCU will total $615,000 at VCU, from public and private funding.

Rao told the crowd at the press conference on Friday that VCU is “poised for a greatness that many may not even realize.” He praised VCU for its “fantastic level of diversity,” an aspect of which he said he is hoping to expand.

“VCU has an undefeated football team,” Rao joked, and went on to say plans for a football team should not be rushed into.

Rao has been president of CMU since 2000. At age 33, he was one of the nation’s youngest college presidents. He previously served as chancellor at Montana State University-Northern.

Rao also served as assistant to the president at the University of Florida, where he received his doctoral degree. He also served as a member of the Association of American Universities. Additionally, Rao acted as higher education academic program planner in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Rao’s wife, Monica, works at CMU as the university outreach liason. She also works as a graphic designer and professional watercolorist, according to the university’s Web site. The Raos have two sons, Miguel, 9, and Aiden, 9 months old.