About President Rush

Biography

Richard R. Rush  became president of California State University Channel Islands in June 2001. As head of the 23rd and newest campus in the California State University system, Dr. Rush has hired the faculty and all administrative staff and overseen the creation and development of the University strategic, academic and physical master plans, the budget and financial structure, infrastructure and road improvements, the acquisition of adjacent land, as well as successfully leading the University’s efforts to achieve Initial Accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Before arriving at CSUCI, Dr. Rush spent nine years as president of Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he established public-private partnerships that led to the first buildings in the State University system to be constructed using private financing. Similarly, Dr. Rush established ties between MSU and regional industry, the local community, and civic leaders who lobbied the Minnesota State Legislature on behalf of Southern Minnesota interests.

Prior to that, Dr. Rush played a key role in the founding of CSU San Marcos while serving as Vice President in Charge during site selection and program establishment. Subsequently, he served as Executive Vice President with responsibilities for accreditation, academic programs, student affairs, finance and administration, and fundraising.

The CSUCI president attended Gonzaga University, where he was graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree after pursuing studies in English, classics, and philosophy. He has a doctorate in English Renaissance literature from the University of California, Los Angeles, and completed his dissertation while a Woodrow Wilson Fellow at The Huntington Library in San Marino, California. Subsequently, he joined the faculty at San Diego State University.

Dr. Rush serves on the boards of the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce, Casa Pacifica, and Santa Barbara Bank and Trust, among others. He chairs the P-16 Council of Ventura County which focuses on improving the college-going rates of students, particularly from communities with historically low participation. He also serves as the statewide board chair for the California Campus Compact and as a National Campus Compact board member. Dr. Rush lives in Camarillo with his wife, Jane.

Awards Received

• Statewide President of the Year, California State Students Association, 2008
• Camarillo Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year Award, 2008
• NAACP President’s Award, 2007
• Inducted into the Athletics Hall of Distinction, Minnesota State University, 2006

Community Involvement and Board Memberships

• Chair, P-16 Regional Council, 2008-Present
• Founding Trustee, Rubicon International Theater Festival, 2006-Present
• Regional Community Advisory Committee, Ventura County, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, 2006-Present
• Honorary Member, Camarillo Rotary Club, 2005-Present
• Board of Directors, National Campus Compact, 2005-Present
• Chair, Board of Directors, California Campus Compact, 2004-Present
• Advisory Council, San Buenaventura Foundation for the Arts, 2004-Present
• Board of Directors, Casa Pacifica, 2003-Present
• Board of Directors, Camarillo Chamber of Commerce, 2001-Present