Dr. Val Rust

Biography

Val Rust is a Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), having received his Ph.D. in International Relations and Education Studies from the University of Michigan. He has held various impressive positions at UCLA, including Faculty Chair of the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies and Director of the International Education Office, overseeing campus study abroad programs. Rust has also served as the Director of the Center for International Development Education (CIDE), focusing on global higher education mapping and leadership. His primary research interests revolve around the politics of educational reform, social change, and the internationalization of higher education. He has led numerous development projects worldwide and actively participated in distance learning program evaluations and training programs primarily concerned with organizational development and professional renewal. Rust's humanitarian efforts have also been significant, particularly in relief projects connected to refugees, providing shelter, medicine, food, and clothing during times of crisis. He was the chair of the board of Relief International and retired in 2009, though he continues to publish and engage in research.

Research Interests