Board of Regents CEO and executive director announces resignation

Michael Rush, executive director and CEO of the South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) announced his resignation last Wednesday.

According to a press release from the SDBOR, Rush has held the executive director and CEO position since 2015 and his resignation will go into effect May 29.

SDBOR president Bob Sutton said he thanks “Dr. Rush for his years of service and wish him the very best.”

“Dr. Rush has spent the last three years working to improve the delivery of higher education in South Dakota,” Sutton said. “He has developed partnerships that will be valuable as we continue to meet the challenges ahead of us.”

Rush’s administrative duties will be handled by the regent’s senior staff after his departure and a new executive director search will then begin. Rush said something he’s pleased with during his term is more students applying for college.

“Despite a seriously contrary demographic situation, enrollments and recruitment look to be turning around,” Rush said in the press release. “Our College Application Week expansion, combined with proactive admissions initiatives, have resulted in more students applying and signing up for college.”

Rush said he’s grateful for the opportunities South Dakota has presented him.

“I have just thoroughly enjoyed my time in South Dakota,” Rush said. “I think we’ve made some really good progress in higher education and I just wish everybody the absolute best.”