Feature Stories

Share this Story

Amy Rush to Lead VWU's Center for Exploration & Discovery

Rush has been appointed Executive Director of The Lighthouse


University News | April 24, 2020

Amy Rush has been appointed Executive Director of The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration & Discovery at Virginia Wesleyan University, according to Dr. Maynard Schaus, Vice President for Academic Affairs.

She has served as deputy director of The Lighthouse since 2015. She replaces Dr. Sara Sewell, who returns to the VWU faculty as Professor of History. Rush has also served as advisor for VWU’s Army ROTC Marlin Company since 2012.

“My goal is to increase access to the signature academic experiences and further emphasize the importance of experiential learning opportunities in the curriculum,” Rush said. 

Rush says that she looks forward to leading The Lighthouse’s very talented team; a team who is committed to expanding experiential learning opportunities for VWU students. She believes that the personal transformation that occurs when a student completes a study away program, undergraduate research project, or internship is powerful and meaningful in a liberal arts education.

Rush first began her career at Virginia Wesleyan in 2011 as coordinator of the Transfer Advising Office and as an academic advisor in the Adult Studies Program (now Evening and Weekend Program). In April 2014, she accepted an appointment as research associate in the Office of Institutional Research and Accreditation, before accepting her current assignment. 

She assisted in the development and execution of the strategic plans of the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan, including the establishment of The Lighthouse in 2015. She also provided leadership for the development of Port Day, a signature event each semester that celebrates and showcases students’ experiential learning achievements; and the Summer High-Impact Practice Program (SHIPP), a competitive program that offers grants and academic support to undertake credit-bearing internship, research, or study away experiences. 

Rush holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, a Master of Arts degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Education degree in Administrative and Policy Studies from the University of Pittsburgh.  

Learn more about The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery at Virginia Wesleyan University, a Center designed to provide valuable experiences for students in career exploration and internships, study away, and undergraduate research.