November 08, 2012
NCAA Board names Cheng to additional posts
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale Chancellor Rita Cheng, a member of the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, has been appointed to the board's Executive Committee. In addition, Cheng was named chair of the Executive Committee's Finance Committee.
The Executive Committee is the overarching governing body of the NCAA and consists of 13 campus presidents and chancellors who oversee Association-wide issues. Cheng will serve a four-year term that expires in 2016.
"Chancellor Cheng's leadership in higher education and intercollegiate athletics is evident in this appointment," said Mario Moccia, SIU's Director of Athletics. "Many of the issues the executive committee will consider in the coming years will have a direct impact on schools like Southern Illinois, and it's tremendously important to have her voice represent us."
Among the key decisions directly impacting Football Championship Subdivision schools recently, the executive committee approved the expansion of the NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs from 20 to 24 teams, beginning in 2013.
"Serving on the NCAA Board and now in these additional roles is an honor," said Cheng, who served on a variety of NCAA national, regional and conference committees from 1997 to 2008. "Athletics is an important part of the fabric of SIU and institutions across the country, and I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to decisions that are in the best interests of student-athletes."
Cheng became chancellor on June 1, 2010, after spending 22 years in teaching and administrative roles at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, including five years as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. She also holds the academic rank of Professor of Accounting at SIU and is internationally recognized for her research in governmental and nonprofit accounting.