Michael C. Eicher

Michael Eicher’s belief in the power of collaboration has guided his leadership at Ohio State. Most recently, his team made history with Time and Change: The Ohio State Campaign, which raised $5.4 billion from more than 817,000 donors. 

As Senior Vice President for External Affairs, Mike now oversees marketing and government affairs, as well as development, the alumni association and engagement. He sees their aligned mission as inspiring people to choose Ohio State. 

“Whatever a person is looking for, they can find it at Ohio State, from world-class education, leading edge research, and giving that makes a substantial impact on the world.”

Mike knows that great things happen when talented people work together, which led to his receiving the E. Burr Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education in July 2025, for his novel campaigns and mentoring of future leaders.

Mike began his career at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he rose from associate director of development in the School of Medicine to vice chancellor. There, he led Campaign UCLA, a 10-year effort, wrapped in 2005, which raised $3.05 billion.

Prior to Ohio State, he served six years as senior vice president for external affairs and development at Johns Hopkins, where he led the Knowledge for the World Campaign, which closed in 2008 with commitments of more than $3.7 billion.

In Columbus, besides leading record-setting campaigns, Mike’s on a mission to better align Ohio State’s External Affairs operations with a common vision for the long-term health of the university - always with people at the center.

When he’s not rallying support for Ohio State, Mike enjoys traveling with his wife, Inez. At home, they spend time with their two grown children and four grandchildren, who remind Mike that the best legacies are built with love, laughter, and a little bit of Buckeye pride.