Ohio's higher education landscape just received a strategic infusion of new leadership. Governor Mike DeWine announced the appointment of Ronald V. Johnson, Jr. and Taras (Terry) G. Szmagala, Jr. to the Cleveland State University (CSU) Board of Trustees. These appointments kicked off in May 2025, positioning Johnson to serve a six-year term ending in May 2031 and Szmagala for a term concluding in May 2034.
Timothy Cosgrove, chair of the CSU Board of Trustees, expressed his enthusiasm about the new appointments. "On behalf of the Board of Trustees at Cleveland State, I extend my gratitude to Governor DeWine for appointing Trustees Johnson and Szmagala to the Board," he said, according to a Cleveland State University announcement. "I look forward to working with them and utilizing their professional experiences and insight into the region that CSU serves."
Ronald Johnson brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, where he is the senior vice president, chief risk officer and general counsel. His resume boasts over 20 years with KeyBank and an educational background that ties directly back to CSU, holding a BBA with a concentration in finance. "As a proud alum, I am honored to join CSU's Board of Trustees," Johnson told CSU News. "I am eager to serve my alma mater and support the University’s vision of being an institution where everyone thrives."
Terry Szmagala comes to the board as a retired executive vice president and chief legal officer for Eaton, bringing expertise from advising boards and managing global legal functions. Beyond his career at Eaton, Szmagala's resume includes time at Avery Dennison Corporation and Squire Patton Boggs. His community involvement includes stints with the United Way of Greater Cleveland and Cleveland Public Market Corporation. “CSU has an impeccable reputation in Cleveland for providing its students with opportunities for growth and economic mobility. I am pleased that I can serve the University as it continues this mission,” Szmagala said, as quoted by CSU News.
Emphasizing the caliber of the new trustees, CSU President Laura Bloomberg acknowledged their potential impact. “Trustees Szmagala and Johnson are each bringing unique and impressive backgrounds to our Board of Trustees,” she remarked in the Cleveland State University's release. “Our University will benefit from their years of experience and commitment to the Greater Cleveland area.” The duo's blend of legal, financial, and community dedication signals a strong strategic move for CSU, poised to enrich an institution deeply interwoven with the fabric of Cleveland.
