Michael G. Fowler will serve as Ball State University’s next vice president for business affairs and treasurer, effective Jan. 5, 2026, President Geoffrey S. Mearns announced.
Mr. Fowler joins Ball State after more than a decade of leadership at Indiana University Bloomington, where he has served in multiple senior financial roles. Presently, he serves as the assistant dean of finance and administration in the College of Arts and Sciences, which comprises more than 1,500 faculty and staff and includes more than 60 facilities. He also served as assistant vice provost for finance and budget, supporting campus-wide financial planning and modeling.
In these roles, Mr. Fowler designed and implemented internal budget models aligning financial resources with academic and research priorities, advanced forecasting tools to meet financial and enrollment management needs, and co-chaired the Big Ten Liberal Arts Finance Group. His peers and supervisors have consistently praised his thoughtful, strategic approach to resource allocation and his ability to build collaborative, cohesive teams.
“I am impressed with Mike’s passion for higher education,” President Mearns said. “He believes in the transformative power of a university to change the lives of students, faculty, staff, graduates, and our friends and neighbors. I am confident that his thoughtful and strategic approach to resource stewardship will serve our University well as we pursue our mission and our long-term strategic goals.”
As vice president for business affairs and treasurer, Mr. Fowler will serve as a key strategic partner and trusted adviser to the president, senior leadership, and the Board of Trustees. In this role, he will oversee the University’s financial, operational, and facilities functions—including budgeting, business and auxiliary services, and capital and infrastructure planning. Working collaboratively across divisions, Mr. Fowler will provide strategic leadership that ensures the responsible stewardship of institutional resources and the alignment of Ball State’s operations with the goals outlined in Destination 2040: Our Flight Path.
“I am deeply honored to join Ball State University and to serve its mission of empowering students, faculty, and staff to pursue fulfilling careers and meaningful lives,” Mr. Fowler said. “I am grateful to the Board of Trustees, President Mearns, and the search committee for this opportunity, and I look forward to collaborating with colleagues across campus to advance the University’s strategic and financial goals.”
Prior to joining Indiana University, Mr. Fowler held financial leadership positions with the State of Indiana, including budget director for the Family and Social Services Administration and director of business affairs/chief financial officer for Clay Community Schools.
Mr. Fowler earned both his Master of Public Affairs and Bachelor of Science in public affairs from Indiana University Bloomington.
In addition to announcing Mr. Fowler’s hiring, President Mearns thanked
Dr. Sue Hodges Moore for her service as interim vice president for business affairs and treasurer.