Central Michigan University

CMU President Rao named region's top higher education leader

Monday, December 10, 2007

Topics in this story: Awards, Education and schools, People, President's Office, University news

Seven years of visionary leadership have landed Central Michigan University President Michael Rao in the spotlight.

Rao received the Council for Advancement and Support of Education's 2007 District V Chief Executive Leadership Award Dec. 9 during the opening celebration of the district's annual conference in Chicago.

"Receiving this award from CASE was not only a surprise but also a tremendous honor," said Rao. "Credit for this achievement is really the university's; my faculty and staff colleagues, students, alumni and other supporters have been willing to make forward-thinking decisions and take calculated risks that have helped CMU become the university that I always knew it should be recognized for being."

According to the CASE District V Web site, recipients of the annual award must demonstrate the ability to:

• Articulate a compelling vision for the institution and inspire others to that vision;
• Establish a positive image for the institution while leading it to higher levels of success;
• Increase the institution's stature in the community;
• Encourage innovation and risk-taking among employees; and
• Actively support all aspects of institutional advancement.

Rao was selected for the award based on the outlined criteria, as well as the strength of his nomination, which included a letter of support from Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Among the achievements for which he was cited were his dedication to building alliances with corporate and community partners; lobbying legislators for more equitable higher education funding; initiating new degree programs that correspond to Michigan's needs; expanding opportunities for scholarships, volunteerism, undergraduate and graduate research, and study abroad; and fundraising activities.

Before becoming CMU's president in August 2000, Rao was chief executive at institutions in Montana and California.

Washington, D.C.-based CASE "is the professional organization for advancement professionals at all levels who work in alumni relations, communications, fundraising, marketing and other areas. ...CASE's membership includes more than 3,300 colleges, universities, independent elementary and secondary schools, and educational associates in 59 countries around the world," according to http://www.case.org.

CASE District V, to which CMU belongs, includes institutions in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan. More information about the district and its awards program is available online at http://www.casefive.org.