USI President Rochon appointed Chair of AASCU Board of Directors

Dr. Ronald S. Rochon, University of Southern Indiana President, was appointed Chair of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ (AASCU) Board of Directors at the 2023 AASCU Annual Conference, held in Chicago, Illinois, on Tuesday, November 7. He will serve a one-year term as Chair. 

Before assuming this position, Rochon served on the Executive Committee and chaired the Millennium Leadership Initiative Steering Committee. 

"It is my privilege to assume the role of chair on the AASCU Board of Directors, collaborating with my dedicated colleagues who relentlessly strive to foster the growth and prosperity of our community of colleges and universities,” Rochon said. “I am enthusiastic about the essential and collective work ahead, ultimately, delivering meaningful results for our students.” 

As President of the University since July 2018, Rochon has led USI in improving its rates of overall degree completion, at-risk degree completion, STEM degree completion, student persistence and on-time graduation. He has secured more than $250 million in state funding for capital projects and operations and led the University’s reclassification process from NCAA Division II to Division I athletics. 

In October 2020, Rochon was appointed to Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb’s Workforce Cabinet for a two-year term and to the Midwest Higher Education Compact in 2021. He also serves on the NCAA Division I Ohio Valley Conference Board of Presidents and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America Board of Directors, as well as the boards of WNIN Public Broadcasting, Deaconess Health Systems and the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership. 

“Ronald Rochon has dedicated his work around advocating and promoting educational excellence, access, and equity, while creating an environment where diverse students can grow intellectually, culturally, socially and emotionally,” said José A. Cabrales, AASCU’s Executive in Charge. “We know he will bring that lifelong passion to this role and continue promoting the transformative power of postsecondary education.” 

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association of nearly 400 public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to underserved student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development. More information at www.aascu.org.