(US and Canada) Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has appointed Ervan Rodgers II to the Board of Trustees of Central State University for a term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2031.

Rodgers is a technology executive with more than 25 years of experience across the public and private sectors. He most recently served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Designer Brands Inc. (DSW), where he led digital transformation initiatives that included enterprise cloud system implementations, improvements to customer experience, and the development of an AI policy focused on innovation and operational efficiency.

Before joining DSW, Rodgers served as Chief Information Officer for the State of Ohio. In that role, he managed a $2 billion annual IT budget and oversaw a workforce of over 2,500. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led the transition of 55,000 state employees to remote work and implemented infrastructure changes that resulted in over $100 million in annual savings. He also chaired the technical subcommittee of CyberOhio, contributing to statewide cybersecurity standards and data protection laws.

Rodgers is actively involved in community service and leadership development. He serves on the boards of National Church Residences and The Center for Healthy Families. He is also a fellow of the African American Leadership Academy and a coach for Handshake America.

He earned a Master of Information Strategy, Systems and Technology from Muskingum University and a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Organizational Development from Spring Arbor University.

His accomplishments have been recognized with several awards, including the 2023 ORBIE CIO of the Year for Ohio Enterprise, the Government Technology Top 25 Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers, and the Golden Gov Visionary State Executive award in 2021. He was also named a Top 10 Retail CIO by Retail Tech Insights.

Central State University President Dr. Morakinyo A.O. Kuti said Rodgers brings extensive expertise in innovation, digital transformation, and public service. He noted that Rodgers’s strategic insight and values-driven leadership are aligned with the university’s focus on student success and institutional excellence.

Board of Trustees Chair Jacqueline Gamblin welcomed the appointment and expressed confidence in Rodgers’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the university’s continued growth and impact. She emphasized his leadership across sectors and his commitment to service and equity as key strengths.

Rodgers joins the board of Ohio’s only public Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and 1890 Land-Grant Institution. His experience and perspective are expected to support the university’s efforts in academic advancement, research, and student achievement.