Richard P. Virgin, PhD
Vice President for University Advancement
Richard P. Virgin, PhD (Rick) became the vice president for University Advancement at the University of San Diego on August 1, 2018.
With a vision to transform access and success in higher education for underrepresented students, Rick is an accomplished, entrepreneurial, and inclusive leader who achieves transformative change through record-breaking fundraising, strategy, individual and institutional performance, and organizational effectiveness. Currently, the Vice President for University Advancement at the University of San Diego (USD), Rick directs all fundraising, marketing and communications, alumni affairs, and government relations. Overseeing 70+ staff across six departments and responsible for a $12M budget, he recently guided the team to USD's strongest year yet, raising $75M+.
A strong partner to the board, he leads the Advancement committee on the Board of Trustees. As a member of the President's Administrative Team and the Strategic Leadership Team, Rick guides the USD President on institutional budget priorities, strategy and planning across the university, and heightens brand awareness and enrollment. Rick has co-chaired USD searches for the Dean for the Knauss School of Business as well as the Vice President for Mission Integration.
Adept at shared governance and known universally for his collegiality, Rick leads small, large, and cross-functional groups of faculty, administrative staff and students on multiple initiatives, task forces, and projects including faculty and student performance, enrollment and program growth, completion rates, and the student experience especially as it relates to diverse students.
A lifelong learner and champion of liberal arts education, Rick completed his Ph.D. in Education and Social Justice from USD in May 2024. His academic research focused on barriers to completion rates of Black and Latinx Community College students.
Vital to a healthy and thriving higher education experience is the gift of diversity. As a second generation Mexican-American, Rick is devoted to creating and driving opportunities for underrepresented groups in higher education including recruiting and mentoring leaders of color, providing support for first-generation and low-income students, recognizing and celebrating the impact and accomplishments of underrepresented groups, and Chairing the Immigration Taskforce to ensure that students and their families who face ongoing uncertainty can flourish at USD.
His previous leadership position was as vice president of University Relations at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where he served as the chief fundraiser and philanthropic strategist. Rick led the successful Ignite the Greatness campaign that culminated in the first named college at Creighton, the Heider College of Business. He has a solid reputation for creating high-performing teams, establishing strong relationships with boards and senior leadership, and coaching and mentoring staff at all levels.
He has more than 20 years of development leadership experience spearheading successful fundraising campaigns and establishing a significant record of accomplishment securing major and transformational gifts at Creighton University, George Mason University and The George Washington University. As a member of Hispanics in Philanthropy and board of trustee's member of Partnership 4 Kids, Mr. Virgin also brings with him a commitment to community service.
Rick, his wife Kathleen Rapp, their daughter Kennedy, and a dog named Scout, now reside in Del Mar not far from the beach.
(619) 260-4770
Degheri Alumni Center 204
vpadvancement@sandiego.edu