Ronald Stephen Rochon is an American educator and academic administrator. He became president of California State University, Fullerton on July 22, 2024. He had served as the 4th president of the University of Southern Indiana from 2018 until 2024.
Ronald S. Rochon | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait of Rochon as President of the University of Southern Indiana (2018-2024) | |
| 10th President of California State University, Fullerton | |
Designate | |
| Assumed office July 22, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Sylvia Alva (interim) Framroze Virjee |
| 4th President of the University of Southern Indiana | |
| In office July 1, 2018 – July 19, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Linda L. M. Bennett |
| Succeeded by | Steven J. Bridges (interim) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Education | Tuskegee Institute (BS) University of Illinois (MS) (PhD) |
| Website | president |
| Academic background | |
| Thesis | African American college students' attitudes toward identity, culture, and curriculum (1997) |
| Doctoral advisor | James D. Anderson |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | Education |
| Institutions | |
Early life and education
editRonald Stephen Rochon was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Illinois.[1] He graduated from Willibrord Catholic High School.
Rochon attended Tuskegee Institute and graduated with a bachelor's degree in animal science in 1983.[2][3] He earned a master's degree in animal sciences from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1986. In 1997, Rochon received a PhD in educational policy studies from the University of Illinois.[4][3][5]
Career
editRochon worked as a professor at Texas A&M University, Washington State University, and the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. He served as the inaugural dean of the School of Education at Buffalo State University.[1]
In 2010, Rochon began his tenure as provost at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Indiana.[6] He became the fourth president of USI on July 1, 2018.[5] He is the first African American president of the university and was inaugurated on April 5, 2019.[7][8] He guided the university through the COVID-19 pandemic and presided over USI athletics' move from NCAA Division II to Division I.[9]
Rochon has served as chair of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities' board of directors since 2023.[10]
In May 2024, Rochon announced that he would be stepping down from his position as president of the University of Southern Indiana after accepting a new position as president of California State University, Fullerton.[11] The following week, USI announced that Steven J. Bridges would replace Rochon as interim president effective July 20, 2024.[12]
Personal life
editRochon's wife, Lynn, serves as the first lady of the University of Southern Indiana.[7][13] They reside in the Evansville-area suburb of Newburgh and have two adult children.
Rochon is a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.[14]
References
edit- ^ a b HJay (2015-10-07). "Dr. Ronald Rochon". Evansville Living Magazine. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
- ^ https://www.tuskegee.edu/Content/Uploads/Tuskegee/files/Events/2021_Founders_Program.pdf
- ^ a b CScarbrough (2018-10-03). "The Rise of Rochon". Evansville Living Magazine. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
- ^ Office, Communications. "Ronald S. Rochon Inaugurated as President of the University of Southern Indiana". blogs.illinois.edu. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
- ^ a b Lyman, Jill (2018-04-19). "University of Southern Indiana names Dr. Ronald Rochon their next president". www.14news.com. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
- ^ Lindskog, Chad. "How important are athletics to new USI president Ron Rochon?". Courier & Press. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
- ^ a b Evans, Zach. "University of Southern Indiana announces provost Ron Rochon as new president". Courier & Press. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
- ^ "What to expect at inauguration". www.usi.edu. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
- ^ "USI Trustees Vote to Move University Into Division 1 Athletics". WEVV 44News. 2022-02-07. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
- ^ "Dr. Ronald S. Rochon Appointed Chair of AASCU Board of Directors". Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
- ^ Loesch, Sarah (May 22, 2024). "USI President Ron Rochon leaving school for new job". Evansville Courier & Press. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ "University of Southern Indiana alumnus Steven J. Bridges named USI Interim President". University of Southern Indiana. May 31, 2024.
- ^ Young, Ian. ""The College Tour" episode featuring USI premieres in the Screaming Eagles Arena". The Shield. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
- ^ https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/507246c6-35fb-4635-9f21-a61ae13d06c9/Alumni%20of%20Lambda%20Epsilon%20FoundationV2.F9.pdf