Newly appointed President Aondover Tarhule is focused on positioning Illinois State University to “succeed, thrive, and be resilient” despite nationwide challenges facing higher education.
“We have a lot of ongoing priorities that I think are transformative for the University,” Dr. Tarhule said. “Whether it’s academic programming, campus renovations, the new College of Engineering, diversity initiatives—all of these are things we know we need to do as an institution to be resilient.”
Tarhule was named the University’s 21st president during a special Board of Trustees meeting attended by more than 50 people on Monday, March 18, in the Bone Student Center.
“Together, we will chart a course for continued excellence, innovation, and impact, ensuring that our college remains a beacon of knowledge, opportunity, and inspiration for future generations.”
President Aondover Tarhule
Following the board’s unanimous vote to appoint Tarhule, he acknowledged support from Illinois State faculty and staff, students, colleagues and cabinet members, community stakeholders, and alumni. He also thanked his wife, Dr. Roosmarijn Tarhule, for her confidence in him, which he said is “both humbling and inspiring.”
Tarhule’s new position is effective immediately, following his yearlong interim president appointment and a national search. He previously served as Illinois State’s provost and vice president of Academic Affairs since 2020.
“Higher education faces a critical and defining moment in time,” Tarhule said. “We are confronted with the risk of declining student enrollment, financial stress, diminished public trust in the value of a college degree, and rapidly changing technology and workforce expectations, to name just a few. As I stated in my application letter, all universities must adapt to these challenges and opportunities. Those who do so effectively will succeed and thrive.”
Dr. Kathryn Bohn ’74, M.S. ’80, Illinois State Board of Trustees chairperson told Tarhule that he has the board’s confidence, and they look forward to working with him to advance the University’s mission.
“In the coming months and years, there are many goals to accomplish,” Bohn said. “We are not immune to the challenges ahead. And although ISU has a great story to tell—with steady and growing enrollment, expansion of nursing, a new College of Engineering, numerous campus renovations, and significant fundraising success, to name a few—now is the time to act to ensure the University’s success for the future.”
Bohn said Tarhule’s priorities include leading a comprehensive review of Illinois State’s finances and budgets to solidify a “fiscally strong and resilient” future, overseeing the implementation of new academic programs, and prioritizing a campuswide initiative to improve student retention and graduation outcomes.
“We feel confident in Illinois State’s future and will support leadership in their work to ensure Illinois State continues to grow in strength and prestige, and that students will continue to have access to an Illinois State University education,” Bohn said.
A first-generation college graduate, Tarhule said becoming Illinois State’s 21st president is more than a personal achievement.
“It is the culmination of the dreams that began with an illiterate peasant farmer in Nigeria more than half a century ago,” Tarhule said. “While having no formal education, that farmer—my father—had the prescience to understand the transformative power of education and encouraged and supported his children with every ounce of his will and resources. Dad, I hope you are watching from above, I owe this moment to you.”
Born and raised in Nigeria, Tarhule earned a bachelor’s degree in geography and a master’s degree in environmental resources planning from the University of Jos, Plateau State, in Nigeria. He also holds a master’s degree and a doctoral degree in geography from McMaster University in Hamilton (Ontario, Canada).
Before arriving at Illinois State, Tarhule served as vice provost and dean of the Graduate School at Binghamton University (State University of New York) and as executive associate dean and department chair in the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences at the University of Oklahoma.
From Tarhule’s decades of experience as a student, professor, and administrator, he said access and affordability are among the biggest hurdles facing prospective college students. As president, he hopes to develop a donor-funded program that would guarantee funding for students who are academically qualified for admission but fall short financially.
Through initiatives such as this among many others, Tarhule called on Illinois State’s friends and stakeholders to embrace challenges and opportunities ahead “with courage, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to our shared values.”
“Together, we will chart a course for continued excellence, innovation, and impact, ensuring that our college remains a beacon of knowledge, opportunity, and inspiration for future generations.”
