Newswise — CHICAGO — Gayle B. Ward has been appointed associate provost of Student Affairs at Rush University. He began this senior management role Sept. 19, overseeing the daily operations and policies of the University’s Office of the Associate Provost, Student Affairs, including admissions, financial aid, counseling, student affairs, registrar, international services and disability.

“Mr. Ward brings extensive experience in running student services,” said Dr. Thomas A. Deutsch, provost, Rush University. “He will provide creative and strategic leadership focused on supporting student success and enhancing the student experience.”

Ward comes to Rush from Richard J. Daley College, where he served as the dean of Student Services and was the recipient of the Richard J. Daley College Administrator of the Year Award. Previously, he was the associate director for Student Affairs and the associate director of Admissions/Enrollment Management at DePaul University. That followed a stint as recruitment coordinator for Student Affairs at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).

Ward holds certification in higher education management from Harvard University, a juris doctorate from DePaul and a master’s from UIC.

Founded in 1972, Rush University began its 40th year when classes started this September. In recent years, the University has grown considerably in both size and stature, and it now comprises Rush Medical College, the Rush University College of Nursing, the Graduate College of Rush University and the College of Health Sciences at Rush University.

Enrollment has increased 41 percent in seven years, with an all-time high of approximately 2,100 students currently attending the University. The 2012 edition of U.S.News & World Report’s annual “America’s Best Graduate Schools” survey ranked seven programs in the Rush University College of Nursing and three programs in the College of Health Sciences among the top 20 in the country, including seven programs that improved their rankings or were newly ranked.

###

Rush is a not-for-profit academic medical center comprising Rush University Medical Center, Rush University, Rush Oak Park Hospital and Rush Health.

Rush’s mission is to provide the best possible care for its patients. Educating tomorrow’s health care professional, researching new and more advanced treatment options, transforming its facilities and investing in new technologies—all are undertaken with the drive to improve patient care now, and for the future.