Mitchelson Biography

Ron Mitchelson graduated from the State University of New York in Buffalo with a bachelor’s degree in geography. He holds master’s and doctoral degrees in geography from The Ohio State University. Before coming to ECU in 1999, he held faculty and administrative positions at the University of Georgia and Morehead State University in Kentucky. He has been the recipient of many awards, including the appointment of State Geographer by Kentucky Governor Brereton Jones.

Dr. Mitchelson has served ECU in several capacities. Since beginning as a professor in the Department of Geography, he has also chaired the Geography department, served as interim chair of the English department, and served as the interim Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Studies. In 2014 he was appointed interim Provost, and since 2015 has served as the Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. Over the course of each of these appointments, he has chaired numerous committees and been a part of various work groups and task forces.

As Provost, Dr. Mitchelson served as ECU’s chief academic officer with oversight of academic programming, enrollment management, institutional planning and research, and equity and diversity. He is committed to ensuring that ECU continues to deliver the highest level of academic instruction, support and guidance needed for 21st century success. He embraces the university mission and strives to make ECU a national model for student success, public service and regional transformation.

In his spare time, he also embraces the university motto, Servire (“to serve”), which is exemplified by his enthusiastic support for the Imagination Library program through the United Way of Pitt County, encouraging childhood literacy. Dr. Mitchelson also enjoys spending time with his family, reading and attending community events.