About the Chancellor

Dr. Michael R. Cunningham
Chancellor, National University System

Dr. Michael R. Cunningham joined the National University System on July 1, 2013 as President of the System’s flagship institution, National University; and he was named Chancellor of the National University System effective October 10, 2013.

The National University System is a network of accredited nonprofit education institutions serving higher education and K-12 students that includes National University, John F. Kennedy University, City University of Seattle, WestMed College and the Division of Pre-College Programs. Established in 2001 to meet the emerging challenges and demands of education in the 21st Century, the network’s complementary universities offer pathways for students to attain professional and terminal degrees through quality and innovative programs delivered in a format that is flexible to the needs of adult learners.

As President of National University, Dr. Cunningham led the University’s commitment to providing a world-class education and an exceptional student experience. National University, which is one of California’s largest, private nonprofit institutions of higher education, serving 30,000 students annually and has more than 150,000 alumni, offers more than 100 programs throughout its campuses in California and Nevada, and is considered a leader in serving adult learners and working professionals through online education. National University’s Sanford College of Education is one of the Top Ten largest schools of education in the country and its programs have been recognized by The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Dr. Cunningham came to National University from San Diego State University (SDSU), where he had been serving as Dean of the College of Business Administration. Prior to being named Dean at SDSU, Dr. Cunningham had been teaching strategy and entrepreneurship courses at SDSU, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and New York University. He entered the education industry after a highly successful business career that included 25 years as an entrepreneur and successful business leader. He was the Founder, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Cunningham Graphics International (CGII; NASDAQ) from 1989-2000, a multinational graphics communications company which operated out of seven countries and employed approximately 2,000 employees.

Dr. Cunningham earned his Ph.D. and master’s degrees from New York University, and his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.