Dr. Rex Fuller became the 23rd president of Western Oregon University in 2015.

Dr. Fuller grew up in California, the son of a veteran who got his degree on the G.I. Bill after serving in World War II. Fuller always believed in public education, and his first stop after high school was a community college. He later transferred to and graduated from Chico State with a degree in Public Administration. While working as an analyst in city government, Fuller earned his doctorate in Economics from the University of Utah.

He went on to teach in the College of Business Administration at University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, eventually becoming the dean. In 1993, he completed the Institute for Education Management program at Harvard. Fuller’s next move was to the Hasan School of Business at Colorado State University, where he was dean from 2000 to 2006.

Prior to becoming WOU’s president, Fuller served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Eastern Washington University. As the university’s chief academic officer, he was responsible for EWU’s academic programming in Cheney and Spokane, Washington, as well as at additional locations throughout the state.

As provost, Fuller developed a new EWU college of health science and public health and a new master’s program in public health. He was instrumental in developing bargaining strategies for faculty contracts; creating innovative student success programs and a university center for community engagement; and facilitating dual-admission programs with area community colleges.

Dr. Fuller and his wife, Susan, live in Monmouth. They have two daughters and five grandchildren.