Education

• BA, Grinnell College
• MA, San Francisco State University
• Ph.D., University of Wisconsin – Madison

Professional Background

Dr. Rich is the former Executive Director of BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio; former Director of External Relations, Columbus Symphony Orchestra. He was also an Arts Consultant in strategic planning and board development for nonprofit arts institutions and community-based arts and cultural organizations.

Current Position

Chair of the Arts, Entertainment & Media Management Department, Columbia College Chicago for 18 years – preparing undergraduate and graduate curriculum for leaders and managers in arts and media

Profesional Awards/Accolades

Dr. Rich is an active and highly regarded international lecturer in fundraising, arts, and cultural management

Relationship with FundWell.com

• What is your relationship with Fundwell?Annual Fund Instructor
• How long have you been teaching this course?: I have been involved with and encouraged FundWell from the inception in 1997.
• What is your teaching philosophy? My guiding principal lies in the words of John Dewey. He said, “The secret in education lies in respecting the student.” My educational philosophy is, therefore, student centered. I am also committed to the idea that students must know not only the structure, values, traditions, and trends of their field, but also the ethical standards of their discipline and chosen profession.

  An effective teacher must address the challenges students must confront in the pursuit of excellence and ask the students to stretch their expectations, aspirations, and performance. It is my belief that the arts enhance the emotional and intellectual growth of students by teaching, in particular, critical thinking, creativity, writing, and communication. Critical thinking enables students to develop, in a reflective and deliberate manner, solutions to intellectual, technical, social, and political challenges. Creativity enables students to image the world as it has been lived, as it is currently experienced, and as it might be lived in the future. Writing and communications skills enable students to state their ideas clearly and articulately in the public sphere and in private life.

• What is your mission in teaching this course?:My mission in teaching this course is to empower students through experiential learning to become successful fundraisers and future leaders in culture and the arts.