Geoffrey S. Mearns

Geoffrey S. Mearns serves as the 17th President of Ball State University since May 2017. He is recognized for advancing institutional goals through strategic initiatives like Destination 2040: Our Flight Path, focusing on academic excellence, community impact, and economic development. While his role is administrative rather than research-focused, he has driven university-wide efforts in alumni engagement, fundraising, and partnerships such as the revitalization of The Village adjacent to campus and the Muncie Community Schools collaboration.

• Leadership: Former president of Northern Kentucky University and Cleveland State University's law school dean/provost
• Legal Background: Federal prosecutor involved in high-profile cases including the Oklahoma City bombing trial
• Educational Roots: BA in English from Yale University, JD from the University of Virginia (Order of the Coif)