For the first ten years of its history, Rushmore University was guided by Dr. Michael Cox, a true visionary in the field of distance learning. With his death in 2006, stewardship of his legacy was passed to two people who participated first-hand in the creation and growth of this ground-breaking educational institution:

• Iola Cox, who has been an integral part of the management and growth of the University from its inception. Mrs. Cox is Chair of the Board of Governors.
  
  
• Alan Guinn has been a member of the Rushmore Faculty since 1999. Professor Guinn also serves as Dean of Graduate Studies.

Profiles of the foregoing principals follow.

Iola Cox

Iola Cox has worked in various capacities at Rushmore University since its inception. She holds a BS from the University of South Dakota and a MBA from Southern Methodist University and is a Certified Public Accountant.  She serves as Chair of the Board of Governors.

Prior to her work with Rushmore University, Iola worked in the field of employee benefits administration for a health and pension fund and in the Employee Benefits Consulting Division of Ernst and Young.  Working with her late husband, Michael Cox, she was instrumental in the founding of both the Multimedia Business Academy, a company dedicated to retraining employees, and Rushmore University. The Cox family has had the wonderful opportunity of living in many different places throughout the world. They now make Winter Park, Florida, their home.

Iola writes: "Although I sadly come to serve on the Rushmore Board of Governors due to circumstances surrounding my service, Michael and I shared a great passion for the future of education and a vision for Rushmore University. We often spoke of the purpose of Rushmore and the need it filled in the marketplace."

"One writer who left an impression on both Michael and me was Dorothy Sayers, an Oxford graduate and scholar. Miss Sayers wrote: 'For the sole true end of education is simply this: to teach the students how to learn for themselves, and whatever instruction fails to do this is effort spent in vain.'"

"It is for this reason that Rushmore has and will continue to offer an education based on the Oxford Tutorial Method that is customized to each individual student’s need. It is for this reason that Rushmore requires papers that show the application of what is learned in the laboratory of life. It is also for this reason that Rushmore’s editing department teaches each student how to write versus simply correcting the errors. Rushmore will continue to instruct with the sole purpose of teaching our students how to learn on their own."

Alan Guinn

Professor Guinn is the Managing Director and CEO of The Guinn Consultancy Group, Inc. During his career he has been named a Fortune 500 Business Development Guru, awarded multiple “Who’s Who” listings, honored as a “Best Boss” and named a Fellow in the International Centre for Consulting Excellence. His business experience extends across several IPO and PPM filings and placements, and his specific expertise areas include human resources and marketing. 

He serves in leadership positions on several boards, including service on the Rushmore Board of Governors. Professor Guinn is the Dean of Graduate Studies for Rushmore University

His published white paper, Hiring and Retention, introduced the world in 2005 to the concept of Comparative Interviewing.  His book, Psyched for Life, serves as a basis for both consulting and counseling practices. The IP material from his book has been licensed worldwide and serves as a basis for seminars and training workshops, including an IAF Facilitation Model. He bases his practice in Tennessee. 

Professor Guinn offers this welcome to Rushmore students: “For over eight years now, I’ve welcomed students to Rushmore University and it’s always been my pleasure to do so. Rushmore’s unique approach to education offers you an opportunity to gain knowledge in ways simply unavailable through other schools. Our interpretation and execution of the Oxford Tutorial Method in our learning management system offers you one-on-one access to your Professor or Advisor.  Try that at other schools!  We offer you personal access to your Professor, but require you to successfully read, study, understand and apply the material you learn in a way which demonstrates personal knowledge of the subject and then demonstrates your ability to write about it.  There is no better way to teach application of theory.”

"Our Editing group, which edits each of the papers you write, is world-class.  Don't take our word for it.  Our students tell us that using our method helps them learn to use the English language faster and more precisely. That single quality is becoming more and more important, worldwide, as English is the universal language of commerce.  We see the results they achieve, and we applaud their efforts."

“Don’t expect to memorize material and take multiple choice tests at Rushmore. It's just not going to happen.  We challenge you to live your life completely—not by choosing A, B, C or none of the above. Our Professors at Rushmore paint challenges that our students find exhilarating.   New and exclusive Study Track Programs open the door to Masters Programs and Certificates in Aviation Management,  Cross Cultural Modern Management (P2M), Tourism and Travel, Media Content and Development, and Management of Conflict.  Each week, it seems, we're presented with new opportunities and exciting new programs from around the world--addressing both niche needs, and expansion of our Rushmore learning program to many new areas; and coming soon--an Asian connection including a week-long learning Seminar in Supply Chain Management."

"While our competitors simply talk about success or disparage the competition, Rushmore students and graduates step up and create companies, write books, develop new directions for industry, and find personal and professional success. The Rushmore Faculty with whom you will work enjoy recognition and plaudits from around the world.  Don't take my word for it.  Search them out online. Success and recognition are great motivators and rewards.  They may be your ultimate objectives. At Rushmore, we solicit students for our learning programs who want to learn--who want to be successful and achieve global recognition.  We will assure you that no Rushmore student ever goes into a boardroom or C-level position unprepared or ill-equipped, because Rushmore both teaches and allows success---tutoring you and challenging you to simply outperform. If you are invited to become part of this Rushmore experience, let me encourage you to join our group of successful Rushmore students and graduates."

"If you’re destined for success, you’ve found the right address. Join us.”