President Ronald S. Rochon

President Ronald S. Rochon assumed the presidency of Cal State Fullerton on July 22, 2024, becoming the university’s 10th president since its founding in 1957. With over three decades in higher education, Rochon has dedicated his career to advocating for educational excellence, student success, access and equity.

Dr. Rochon leads the university’s collaborative and innovative efforts in Fullerton Forward, Cal State Fullerton’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan. The plan aims to empower students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners to pursue creative and varied practices supporting the university’s diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences and consider access and engagement for all in the Titan community. The collaboration distinguishes Cal State Fullerton as a model institution and amplifies its impact in communities.

In his prior role as president of University of Southern Indiana (USI) from 2018 to 2024, the university experienced growth in the state’s funding metrics for overall degree completion, at-risk degree completion, STEM degree completion, student persistence and on-time graduation. He served as the university’s provost from 2010 to 2018. He intentionally guided USI to be a catalyst for change, creating a talented, educated citizenry that meets the leadership, entrepreneurial and workforce needs of today’s society.

Rochon’s leadership has fostered service and academic advancement among a multitude of international communities. Through this work, he has maintained a forum for communication and learning that has increased international awareness, acceptance and understanding of cultures from all corners of the globe.

Nationally, Rochon serves as the past chair of the Board of Directors for the Association for State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and chair of the Board of Directors for the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and has served as board chair for the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE).

A first-generation college graduate, Rochon earned a bachelor’s degree at Tuskegee University and master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His doctoral work was in educational policy studies, with an emphasis on educational history and policy analysis.