Richard McCullough

Richard McCullough
Occupation	University administrator, materials scientist
Title	16th President of Florida State University
Employer	Florida State University
Known for	President of Florida State University; research in materials science and nanotechnology
Awards	Florida Inventors Hall of Fame inductee (2025), Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida inductee (2025)

Richard McCullough is an American materials scientist and university administrator serving as the 16th president of Florida State University (FSU). A researcher whose career has spanned academic appointments at major research universities, McCullough assumed the presidency of Florida State in 2021 and has since overseen a period of institutional growth and rising national prominence for the university. His scholarly work in the fields of materials science, polymer chemistry, and nanotechnology has resulted in numerous patents and peer-reviewed publications, contributing to his induction into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame in 2025. That same year, he was inducted into the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida. McCullough's tenure at FSU has been marked by strategic investments in research infrastructure, faculty recruitment, and student success initiatives, leading the university's Board of Trustees to approve a contract extension and salary increase reflecting what trustees described as "a phenomenal job."

Career

Academic and Research Career

Prior to assuming the presidency of Florida State University, Richard McCullough built an extensive career as a researcher and academic administrator in the field of materials science. His research has focused on areas including polymer chemistry, conjugated polymers, nanotechnology, and the development of advanced materials with applications in energy, electronics, and other fields. McCullough's scientific contributions have resulted in a significant portfolio of patents and scholarly publications, establishing him as a recognized figure in his discipline. His body of work was recognized in 2025 when he was inducted into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame, an honor that acknowledged his contributions to innovation and invention over the course of his career.

McCullough held academic and administrative positions at Carnegie Mellon University and Harvard University before being selected as the president of Florida State University. At Carnegie Mellon, he served on the faculty and held leadership roles in the university's research enterprise. He subsequently served as vice provost for research at Harvard University, where he oversaw the university's research operations and helped to advance interdisciplinary collaboration across the institution. These experiences in both research and administration positioned McCullough as a candidate for university presidencies, ultimately leading to his appointment at Florida State.

Presidency of Florida State University

Richard McCullough became the 16th president of Florida State University in 2021. His arrival at FSU came at a time when the university was seeking to elevate its standing among national research universities and invest more aggressively in its academic and research missions.

Strategic Vision and Institutional Growth

Throughout his presidency, McCullough has articulated a vision centered on increasing Florida State University's research output, improving student outcomes, and enhancing the university's national and global reputation. In his fifth State of the University address, delivered on December 3, 2025, McCullough stated that the university had "powerful momentum" and highlighted a range of achievements and ongoing initiatives designed to advance the institution.

McCullough has emphasized the importance of sustained investment in the university's academic and research infrastructure. In a January 2026 opinion column published in the Tallahassee Democrat, timed to coincide with Florida State University's 175th anniversary, McCullough wrote that "Florida State University is proof that sustained investment delivers results. For students. For communities. And for the future of our" state, underscoring his view that the institution's trajectory depended on continued financial and strategic commitments from the state, donors, and other stakeholders.

Under McCullough's leadership, Florida State University has pursued initiatives aimed at expanding its research enterprise, recruiting and retaining top faculty, improving graduation rates, and strengthening the university's connections to the broader community. His administration has also navigated various challenges facing public higher education in Florida, including shifts in state policy, changes in the competitive landscape for research funding, and evolving expectations from students, families, and employers.

Performance Evaluations and Contract

McCullough's performance as president has been subject to periodic evaluation by the Florida State University Board of Trustees. In August 2025, the Board of Trustees approved McCullough's annual evaluation and accompanying compensation adjustments for his fifth year in office. The evaluation resulted in a 10 percent raise, bringing his annual salary to $1.25 million. Trustees praised his leadership, with the evaluation characterized as reflecting that McCullough had done "a phenomenal job" leading the university.

In February 2026, the FSU Board of Trustees was scheduled to vote on a contract extension for McCullough, signaling the board's confidence in his continued leadership of the institution. According to reporting by the Tallahassee Democrat, the board was "looking to keep FSU President Richard McCullough at the helm of the university for a few more years," reflecting a consensus among trustees that the university's trajectory under his presidency warranted continued stability in leadership.

175th Anniversary of Florida State University

McCullough has presided over Florida State University during its 175th anniversary, a milestone that the university marked with a series of public events, academic celebrations, and communications highlighting the institution's history and future aspirations. In his opinion piece for the Tallahassee Democrat commemorating the anniversary, McCullough framed the university's history as one of delivering value to students, communities, and the state of Florida, and argued that continued investment would be essential to sustaining and building on FSU's achievements.

Recognition

Richard McCullough has received several notable honors and recognitions reflecting his contributions to both scientific research and higher education leadership.

Florida Inventors Hall of Fame

In November 2025, McCullough was inducted into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame. The honor recognized his career-long contributions to innovation, particularly in the areas of materials science, polymer chemistry, and nanotechnology. The induction ceremony acknowledged his record of patents and his role in translating scientific discoveries into practical applications.

Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida

Later in November 2025, McCullough was inducted into the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida, alongside other distinguished researchers from Florida State University. The Academy recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to science, engineering, and medicine in the state of Florida. McCullough's selection reflected both his personal research accomplishments and his role in fostering a culture of research excellence at FSU.

Trustee Recognition

The Florida State University Board of Trustees has publicly praised McCullough's leadership on multiple occasions. In their 2025 evaluation, trustees described his performance as "a phenomenal job," citing progress in areas including research growth, student success, and the university's overall reputation.

Legacy

As of early 2026, Richard McCullough's legacy at Florida State University is defined by the institutional trajectory established during his presidency. His emphasis on research growth, faculty recruitment, and student success has shaped the university's strategic direction during a period of significant change in American higher education. The Board of Trustees' decision to extend his contract and increase his compensation reflects a consensus that his leadership has contributed to measurable progress for the institution.

McCullough's presidency has also been characterized by efforts to raise the public profile of Florida State University both within the state of Florida and nationally. His 2025 State of the University address and his public writings in advance of the university's 175th anniversary articulated a vision of FSU as an institution delivering tangible value to its students, its community, and the broader state.

Beyond his administrative role, McCullough's personal scientific contributions—recognized through his inductions into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame and the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida—underscore a dual legacy as both a researcher and an institutional leader. His career trajectory, from laboratory scientist to research administrator to university president, reflects a pattern increasingly common among leaders of major research universities in the United States, where deep expertise in a scientific discipline serves as the foundation for broader institutional leadership.

The long-term impact of McCullough's presidency will be shaped by the outcomes of initiatives launched during his tenure, including investments in research infrastructure, efforts to recruit and retain faculty, and programs aimed at improving graduation rates and student success. As the Board of Trustees moved in early 2026 to extend his contract, the institution appeared positioned for continued growth under his leadership.