"Johnson & Wales University's North Miami Campus was recently ranked No. 1 for diversity amongst colleges in the south and No. 3 in the nation by The Wall Street Journal. Awarded as a result of our racial and ethnic mix of students and faculty, the number of international students and the number of students from less-fortunate financial backgrounds, this ranking further affirms our commitment to creating a campus culture where all feel welcome and at home. I am a firm believer that an inclusive environment is not just something that happens on accident. An inclusive environment comes from the mindset each individual brings to his or her community. Our sense of community is a significant strength that individuals notice, almost immediately, when they step foot on our campus for the first time, and it is something to both celebrate and protect."

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Larry Rice Ed.D. is the President of Johnson & Wales University's North Miami Campus. Rice has spent more than two decades in the education field, serving as an academic leader and administrator in numerous capacities, including the culinary, hospitality and business education fields. Rice has been an advocate for increased access to higher education, college-ready students and ensuring graduates are well-prepared for professional success.

Rice has deep roots in the university and South Florida-community as a graduate from JWU's Charleston, S.C. campus and as a resident of Plantation. Prior to his appointment, he held several positions at the North Miami Campus, including chairperson of academic affairs, department chair of academic services and dean of academic affairs. In 2008, he assumed a dual title as campus vice president and dean of academic affairs, reflecting his increased oversight for areas outside of the academic arena, including university operations. In 2014, he was named interim president at the North Miami Campus. In addition to his work with the university, Rice previously owned A Chef for Hire, a training and consulting firm for the hospitality industry, was co-owner of Rice Training Solutions serving clients such as Accor North America, Marriott, the Turks & Caicos government, Florida Education Fund, and several educational institutions in the U.S. and the Caribbean.

Rice continues to serve as a consultant for government, nonprofit and educational institutions. He has served as a member of the board of directors and chair of the Education Committee of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts Trust; an appointed member of the Miami-Dade County's Mayor's Miami International Airport Consumer Advisory Task Force; a member of the Tourist Development Council Nominations Committee; a member-at-large and past chair of the Board of the Visitor Industry Council of Greater Miami; and a member of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

Rice has donated his time to a variety of community service initiatives, providing training and mentoring on conflict resolution, diversity and strategic management planning to the local community and abroad. He has also published several book chapters and journal articles on topics ranging from conflict management to combining theory with practice in higher education. Rice recently completed a manuscript for a leadership book entitled, The Recess Effect.

He is the co-author of an upcoming Journal of Learning in Higher Education article entitled, "Building an Academic Culture of Praxis" which highlights ways colleges and universities can build a culture which supports both theory and practice.

He was the recipient of the South Florida Business Journal's 2007 "Up & Comers Award"; a 2006 finalist for the March of Dimes "Building Our Community Award"; and an honoree of the Legacy Magazine and The Miami Herald as one of the "50 Most Powerful Black Professionals in South Florida" in 2010. Rice was recognized by South Florida CEO as a successful young leader as part of its first Next Gen series and by South Florida Business Journal as an 'Up & Comer.'

After graduating from JWU's Charleston Campus with an associate degree, Rice received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Florida International University and his doctorate degree from Nova Southeastern University. Rice resides in Plantation, Fla., with his wife, Michele, and two daughters, Claire and Victoria.