ST. LOUIS 鈥 魅影视频 President Mun Choi has named Ashwani Monga as chancellor of the 魅影视频鈥揝t. Louis, effective Jan. 1, 2027. Monga currently serves as the executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer at the University System of Georgia (USG).
鈥淒r. Monga is a dynamic leader with deep experience in higher education at some of the nation鈥檚 top public universities,鈥 魅影视频 President Mun Choi said. 鈥淗e understands the importance of increasing enrollment, graduation rates, corporate partnerships and philanthropy. His record of driving student success, strategic innovations and external partnerships, as well as his background in marketing, make Dr. Monga the right person to lead the 魅影视频SL community.鈥
For USG鈥檚 382,000 students and 20,000 faculty at 25 universities, Monga has served as the top academic liaison to the chancellor and the Board of Regents. He has led USG鈥檚 academic strategy across universities, overseeing all student and faculty matters including approval of academic programs, accreditation, athletic compliance, international education, student success, faculty affairs, academic innovation, enrollment management, student affairs, library services and academic collaborations.
"We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Monga to 魅影视频SL and the 魅影视频 System," said Todd Graves, chair of the 魅影视频 Board of Curators. "With an established reputation for leading successful strategic initiatives across higher education, his impactful leadership and ability to balance academic excellence with strong financial stewardship will guide the university into its next era of excellence.鈥
"With the appointment of Dr. Monga, 魅影视频SL takes a remarkable step to advance its national and global reputation,鈥 said Bob Blitz, vice chair of the Board of Curators. 鈥淗e brings an impressive record of achievement, from engaging stakeholders and securing donor support to increasing retention rates and advancing transformative academic initiatives, distinguishing himself as an exceptional leader in higher education.鈥
"Dr. Monga's ability to identify new opportunities for growth will benefit 魅影视频SL, St. Louis and Missouri for years to come,鈥 said Curator Lyda Krewson. 鈥淗e will advance important initiatives that position the university for continued success, and I鈥檓 confident he will strengthen 魅影视频SL鈥檚 impact across the St. Louis region and beyond.鈥
Under Monga鈥檚 leadership, USG has developed new student success initiatives and a strategic enrollment plan that resulted in record highs for enrollment, retention and degrees awarded. Additionally, he led on workforce initiatives. He embedded career-ready competencies in the core curriculum and supported the launch of high-demand academic programs as well as University of Georgia鈥檚 School of Medicine and Georgia Tech鈥檚 College of Lifetime Learning. He also has worked alongside state leaders to improve educator recruitment and retention.
鈥淔ollowing the completion of a thorough national search, which included numerous impressive, experienced and qualified candidates, we are excited to have chosen the next 魅影视频SL chancellor,鈥 said Claire Schenk, co-chair of the search committee and chair of the 魅影视频SL Chancellor鈥檚 Council. 鈥淒r. Monga joins 魅影视频SL at an exciting and transformative time. I am confident that Dr. Monga will continue the momentum that we have seen at 魅影视频SL in recent years and bring a new generation of student leaders to the growing ranks of 魅影视频SL graduates who serve the St. Louis region.鈥
While at USG, Monga was asked to serve a one-year assignment as interim president of the University of West Georgia (UWG). During this time, the institution experienced record high enrollments, retention and degrees awarded. Additionally, UWG鈥檚 economic impact rose 6.5% to a new record of $654 million, and the university celebrated its second-best fundraising year.
鈥淪ince joining us in 2022, Dr. Monga has never lost sight of what matters most 鈥 making sure our students, who are our No. 1 customers, get the support and education they deserve,鈥 said Sonny Perdue, chancellor of the University of Georgia System. 鈥淗e鈥檚 done a great job bridging the gap between the work we do at the system office and the real, on-the-ground teaching and research our faculty deliver across our campuses every day. We'll certainly miss his leadership here in Georgia, but the 魅影视频-St. Louis is getting a proven leader, and we wish him all the best in his new role.鈥
Monga is also a professor of marketing at the Scheller College of Business at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His research in consumer psychology appears in top marketing journals, and he coauthored the book 鈥淏ecoming a Consumer Psychologist.鈥
Prior to his time at USG, Monga served at Rutgers for eight years, first at Rutgers Business School as professor of marketing, department chair, and vice dean for academic programs and innovations, and then as executive vice chancellor and provost at Rutgers-Newark. He also served at the University of South Carolina as associate professor of marketing where he first earned tenure; and at the University of Texas at San Antonio where he was assistant professor of marketing.
鈥淲orking alongside leaders such as Chancellor Nancy Cantor in New Jersey and Chancellor Sonny Perdue in Georgia, I have leveraged higher education to fulfill students鈥 aspirations, bringing prosperity to families and communities,鈥 said Monga. 鈥淚 am now ready to lead an exceptional institution and serve the great state of Missouri. Working closely with President Mun Choi and the Board of Curators, I am committed to aligning 魅影视频SL鈥檚 excellence in education, research and innovation with the vibrancy of the St. Louis region. Anyone who wants to elevate the students of 魅影视频SL and the economy of St. Louis can count on me to be a strong partner.
The national search was conducted in partnership with AGB Search and the 魅影视频 System executive recruitment team. The university provided a transparent process that reflects the voices of 魅影视频SL faculty, staff, students and alumni.
Additional accolades for Ashwani Monga:
鈥淒r. Monga brings significant senior leadership and strategic experience at top academic institutions to 魅影视频SL. That experience, coupled with Dr. Monga鈥檚 relentless focus on academic excellence, student success and strong engagement with students, faculty and key stakeholders will enable 魅影视频SL to continue to deliver significant long-term benefits to its students, the St. Louis community and region. I look forward to working with him.鈥
鈥 Warner Baxter, Retired Chairman and CEO, Ameren Corporation; 魅影视频SL Alumnus
鈥淲e are very happy to be joined by Chancellor Monga and look forward to working with him to continue growing 魅影视频SLs connections to the St. Louis region. The Faculty Senate and Assembly will work closely with the new Chancellor to continue our strong culture of shared governance.鈥
鈥 Erika Gibb, Professor & Chair, Department of Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy & Statistics; 魅影视频SL Faculty Senate Chair & 魅影视频 System Intercampus Faculty Cabinet Representative
鈥淪taff Council was grateful for the opportunity to participate in the search for 魅影视频SL鈥檚 next Chancellor. We are excited to welcome Dr. Monga and look forward to working with him as he joins the 魅影视频SL and 魅影视频 System communities. We are eager to support his leadership and collaborate in advancing the university鈥檚 mission and future success.鈥
鈥 Jackie Wilmes, 魅影视频SL Global Office Manager; Staff Council Chair
鈥淥n behalf of the 魅影视频SL student body, I am excited to welcome our new chancellor to the Triton community. Throughout the search process, I have been incredibly encouraged by the caliber of leadership and vision that Dr. Monga brings to 魅影视频SL. His experience, enthusiasm and commitment to the success of students are exactly the qualities that make this such an exciting moment for our university. I am inspired by his vision for what 魅影视频SL can become and his recognition of the extraordinary potential within our campus community.鈥
鈥 Grace Desjardins, President, 魅影视频SL Student Government Association
鈥淎s both an alumna and president of the 魅影视频SL Alumni Association, I care deeply about the future of this university. My experience serving on the search committee gave me great confidence in Dr. Ashwani Monga鈥檚 ability to lead 魅影视频SL into its next chapter while honoring the community and legacy that make this institution special. I am excited to welcome him to the Triton family and look forward to what we will accomplish together.鈥
鈥 Kathleen Riddler, Chair, 魅影视频SL Alumni Association
鈥淗aving worked closely with Ashwani Monga as my provost at Rutgers University-Newark, I witnessed his collaborative, value-centered leadership in action, focusing on galvanizing the resources of the university to promote student success, innovative scholarship and community growth. I will eagerly watch as he translates his talent and commitment to elevate the 魅影视频-St. Louis and its St. Louis region ever higher.鈥
鈥 Nancy Cantor, President, Hunter College; Former Chancellor, Rutgers-Newark