Matthew Rust, the assistant dean of the University College at IUPUI and a known scholar and leader in academic and career advising, will serve as the inaugural associate vice president for student navigation and support within the university-wide Office of the Vice President for Student Success. He will begin this role Jan. 16.

Rust will be responsible for strategic leadership in addressing the needs of all Indiana University students as it relates to their academic, career and graduation journeys. As a member of the Office of the Vice President for Student Success leadership team, he will partner with other critical student-focused leaders in the office and across all of IU. He will collaborate with and convene critical campus partners and key student-focused communities of practice to help IU adopt student-ready practices that promote success throughout a student’s IU journey.

“I am excited that Matt will be joining the student success team,” said Julie Payne-Kirchmeier, vice president for student success. “His direct experience in critical student-focused areas coupled with his deep knowledge of Indiana University and the state will benefit all IU students. His work speaks for itself; he deeply cares about our students and their success, and it shows.”

In his current assistant dean role, Rust works with the faculty and staff of University College and the degree-granting schools in developing, implementing and assessing programs that foster students’ academic achievement with a focus on retention. Previously, he served in a variety of student success roles at IUPUI and North Carolina State University, including serving as IUPUI’s inaugural director of Campus Career and Advising Services. Rust has also both designed and taught first-year seminars and undergraduate courses in employment law as an adjunct faculty member throughout his time at IUPUI.

Rust earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy/religion and political science from Butler University, a master’s degree from Ohio’s Miami University in college student personnel and a J.D. from North Carolina Central University. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education from IU Bloomington.

Throughout his career, Rust has authored a number of publications and delivered numerous conference presentations related to student success, advising, career development and legal issues in higher education. He has advanced innovation within student success work through grants and contracts that have funded new programs. He has served on the NACADA Journal’s editorial board and as a board member and officer for Indiana INTERNnet, a statewide nonprofit connecting employers to early talent. He currently serves on the governing board for the Institute for Workforce Excellence based at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and as treasurer on the board for EmployIndy, Marion County’s workforce development initiative.

“The vision that has emerged for student success at IU is energizing,” Rust said. “Having this opportunity to join OVPSS and partner with my colleagues in student success on each campus to help empower all IU students to achieve their educational and professional goals is humbling. I am thrilled to be collaborating with these committed student success educators and am looking forward to our work together.”