CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference recently concluded its 2026 Spring Meetings, and following the Council of Presidents meeting, Bowling Green State University President Dr. Rodney K. Rogers, was elected Chair of the Council of Presidents.
Rogers replaces Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns, who served as Chair for the last five academic years.
“President Rogers is a thoughtful, collaborative and forward-looking leader who understands both the opportunities and challenges facing intercollegiate athletics,” said MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher. “His deep commitment to the student-athlete experience and the educational missions of our member institutions will serve the Conference well. I look forward to working alongside him as we continue positioning the MAC for long-term success.”
Rogers became the 12th president of Bowling Green State University in 2018 and is the first alumnus to serve as president of the University. Prior to his appointment, Rogers served as BGSU’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs beginning in 2012 and as dean of the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business beginning in 2006.
"I am so grateful to the Council of Presidents and Commissioner Steinbrecher for selecting me to serve as Chair of the Mid-American Conference Council of Presidents, following President Mearns' forward-thinking leadership over the past five years," said President Rogers. "A conference rooted in innovation and entrepreneurial thinking with a focus on the student-athlete experience, the MAC has long been a leader in intercollegiate athletics. Amid the changing landscape of college athletics, we look forward to continuing to be one of the nation's great athletic conferences, supporting our student-athletes who work so hard for the love of the game while representing their universities as they prepare for great careers and great lives."
An experienced leader in both academia and business, Rogers earned his MBA from Bowling Green State University, a Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University and a bachelor’s degree in music from Ohio Northern University. Before completing his doctorate, Rogers practiced as a certified public accountant for 10 years.
As president, Rogers has worked with faculty, staff and institutional stakeholders to develop and implement university-wide strategic plans focused on student success and advancing BGSU’s mission as a public university for the public good.
About the Mid-American Conference
Founded in 1946, the Mid-American Conference is an NCAA Division I conference that sponsors 23 championships and is one of 10 members of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The conference office is based in Cleveland, Ohio.
Current full member MAC institutions include the University of Akron, Ball State University, Bowling Green State University, the University at Buffalo, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Kent State University, the University of Massachusetts, Miami University, Ohio University, the University of Toledo and Western Michigan University.
