Jo Ann M. Gora
Jo Ann M. Gora, Ph.D. joined the Ball State University Foundation Board of Directors in 2020.
She has more than 40 years of experience in higher education and has held positions at every level of academic administration in both public and private universities.
During her 10-year tenure as president of Ball State University (2004-2014), more than $520 million of new construction and renovation projects changed the face of the campus, resulting in 29 new or renovated buildings, including the David Letterman Communication and Media Building. Under her leadership the University raised more philanthropic dollars in a decade than it had in its previous 86 years. The “Ball State Bold” Capital Campaign supported the full implementation of the “Education Redefined Strategic Plan” which made community-based experiential learning projects the cornerstone of a Ball State undergraduate education. In 2009, the University broke ground on the largest ground source closed loop geothermal project in the U.S., allowing the University to reduce its carbon footprint by nearly one half.
Gora has served on the national boards of almost every higher education association (ACE, APLU, AGB, AASCU, NASULGC) and was one of 57 presidents who served on The New York Times/Chronicle of Higher Education Cabinet. She received Indiana’s highest civilian honor, the Sagamore of the Wabash, twice, once from the Democratic governor, once from the Republican governor. She was named a “Torchbearer,” by the Indiana Commission for Women. She holds a BA from Vassar College and a MA and Ph.D. from Rutgers University.