The Chancellor

Philip G. Rogers

Dr. Philip G. Rogers leads East Carolina University, a public university focused on student success, public service and regional transformation. Since becoming chancellor in 2021, Rogers has focused on innovation and the success of all learners – from student return on investment and institutional costs to addressing the evolving market demand for programs and credentials. Already a recognized leader in online education, in early 2024 ECU launched four academic programs tailored to high-demand workforce areas through Project Kitty Hawk, created by the University of North Carolina System to make higher education accessible for millions across the state. It’s an example of innovative higher education programming responding to industry demands.

Prior to his appointment as chancellor, Rogers was senior vice president for learning and engagement at the American Council on Education, where he helped institutions navigate complex challenges facing the global higher education landscape. He was responsible for ACE’s academic, research and innovation strategy, overseeing five separate divisions including advancement and fundraising, education attainment and academic innovation, global engagement and internationalization, leadership and professional learning, and research.

His appointment as chancellor was a homecoming for Rogers, who first came to ECU as a policy analyst in 2007 and served as chief of staff from 2008 to 2013. As chief of staff, he was responsible for external relations for the university, including government relations, marketing and communications, public service and policy development.

Since returning to ECU, Rogers has launched a new strategic plan titled “Future Focused. Innovation Driven.” that guides the university’s steadfast commitment to be a national model for student success, public service and regional transformation. The plan also establishes a five-year vision to advance social and economic progress, workforce success, and rural health and well-being. The university has experienced record growth in research funding, philanthropic gifts and state appropriations to support the initiatives established under the new plan, and recently exceeded its $500 million comprehensive fundraising campaign goal with a final campaign total of $526.9 million.

Under Rogers’ leadership, the university engaged in an historic effort to fully integrate eastern North Carolina’s regional health care system and ECU’s Brody School of Medicine under a new, shared brand as ECU Health.

A native North Carolinian, Rogers was raised in Greenville and his family has a long history in the state and with the university. He earned his doctorate in higher education management with distinction from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in public administration from UNC-Chapel Hill, and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Wake Forest University.

He and his wife, Dr. Rebekah P. Rogers, a two-time ECU alumna, have two sons.