PHOENIX (Oct. 29, 2026) — Grand Canyon University’s Board of Trustees has elected Dr. Jim Rice, a longtime Arizona education leader and GCU alumnus, as its new chairman.
Rice, who has served on GCU's Board of Trustees since 2007, brings more than four decades of educational leadership experience to the position, including serving as superintendent of the Alhambra Elementary School District in central Phoenix. He has been widely recognized for his contributions to public education and his commitment to improving educational opportunities for students.
"Jim Rice has devoted his life to education and to creating opportunities for students to succeed," said fellow GCU Board of Trustees member Jerry Colangelo. "He understands our mission, our Christian worldview and the tremendous responsibility we have to prepare students not just for careers, but for lives of purpose and service. His experience, integrity and deep connections to this community make him an outstanding choice to lead our Board of Trustees as GCU enters its next chapter."
Rice replaces Dr. Fred Miller, whose three-year term as chairman has expired. Miller has spent two decades on the Board of Trustees amid a 31-year career in both clinical and administrative roles in the healthcare field. He served as chairman of the Trustees during a time of significant growth and expansion for the university.
Rice spent 46 years in public education as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent. Following his retirement from the Alhambra district, he directed the Principal Initiative for the Rodel Foundation of Arizona and later served as interim superintendent for Gilbert Public Schools and the Union Elementary School District.
His numerous honors include being named Arizona's Superintendent of the Year in 2007, Arizona's Distinguished Administrator in 2002 and GCU's Alumnus of the Year. He has been inducted into the Arizona State University College of Education Hall of Fame, GCU Athletics Hall of Fame and GCU College of Education Hall of Fame. A school in the Alhambra district also bears his name in recognition of his contributions to education.
"GCU has always held a special place in my heart, and it is an honor to serve as chairman of the Board of Trustees," said Rice, a 1971 graduate of GCU who also scored 1,023 points and still ranks third all-time with 891 career rebounds for the men’s basketball team. "What this university has accomplished in expanding access to affordable, high-quality Christian education is remarkable. But what excites me most is the opportunity ahead of us. We have a responsibility to build on that momentum and ensure GCU continues to positively impact students, families and communities for generations to come."
Board adopts new philanthropic standards
In a separate action Wednesday, GCU's Board of Trustees formally approved a new governance direction that will eliminate compensation for board members and establish minimum annual philanthropic giving commitments as part of board service.
The changes follow approximately 2½ years of Board discussions about evolving its governance model to better align with the university's long-term strategic priorities and philanthropic goals.
The new approach reflects a model increasingly embraced by nonprofit organizations, particularly in higher education, in which trustees are expected not only to provide governance and strategic oversight but also to make meaningful financial commitments and help cultivate relationships with donors, business leaders and philanthropic organizations.
"This is an important next step in the evolution of Grand Canyon University," Rice said. "As GCU continues to grow in its national influence and impact, we believe our Board of Trustees should be deeply invested in the mission through its expertise, leadership, relationships and philanthropic support.
As part of this new direction, GCU will seek to attract additional trustees who bring both influence and affluence — individuals with the professional experience, community connections, leadership capabilities and financial resources to help advance the university's mission.
The goal is to build a Board that can help expand philanthropic partnerships, create new opportunities for students and support strategic initiatives as GCU continues to establish itself as a driving force in American higher education.
The governance changes come at a time of significant momentum for GCU, which projects enrollment of approximately 141,000 students during the 2026-27 academic year. The university has maintained a tuition freeze on its Phoenix campus for 18 consecutive years while investing approximately $2 billion in academic infrastructure, technology and campus expansion since 2008.
GCU is also expanding its academic reach through new initiatives such as its College of Construction and Industrial Technologies and plans for a College of Law, while strengthening opportunities for philanthropic investment in student scholarships, academic excellence and leadership development.
"Our mission has never been simply to grow enrollment," Rice said. "It is to make high-quality Christian education accessible and affordable, equip students to become leaders in their professions and communities, and create an institution that can have a lasting impact on our country.
"To accomplish that vision, we need leaders who believe deeply in what GCU stands for and who are willing to invest their time, talents, influence and resources in its future. This new direction for our Board of Trustees will help us do exactly that."
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About Grand Canyon University: Grand Canyon University was founded in 1949 and is Arizona’s premier private Christian university. GCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers 400 academic programs, emphases and certificates for both traditional undergraduate students and working professionals. The University’s curriculum emphasizes interaction with classmates, both in-person and online, and individual attention from instructors while fusing academic rigor with Christian values to help students find their purpose and become skilled, caring professionals. For more information, visit gcu.edu.
