About

Ross A. Mugler is a lifelong advocate for higher education and has been instrumental in shaping policy and governance at the state and national levels. He serves as chair of the board of directors and acting president and CEO of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), where he champions best practices in institutional leadership and governance.

Mugler is a dedicated leader in higher education governance and public service, with a distinguished career spanning more than three decades. As the longest-serving board of visitors member at a single institution in Virginia, he has been appointed to the Old Dominion University Board of Visitors by five governors. His tenure includes serving as rector of the university, where he played a pivotal role in advancing the institution’s mission, strategic initiatives, and financial stewardship.

Beyond his contributions to Old Dominion University, Mugler actively supports educational excellence through his service on the Virginia Peninsula Community College Education Foundation Board of Directors and in advisory and leadership roles with organizations dedicated to academic and community development.

In addition to his impact in higher education, Mugler has had a long and distinguished public service career, serving as commissioner of the revenue for the City of Hampton, Virginia, from 1992 to 2024.

Mugler holds a bachelor of science in business administration and a master of public administration from Old Dominion University. He furthered his expertise through executive education at the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, earning distinction as a certified master commissioner of the revenue, and as a graduate of the CIVIC Leadership Institute of Hampton Roads.

Throughout his career, Mugler has been recognized for his leadership, advocacy, and impact on education and public service. His accolades include the Coastal Virginia Renaissance Award for advancing the arts and community development, the Strome College of Business Outstanding Achievement in Public Service Award, and the Virginia Commissioners of the Revenue Association’s Sam T. Barfield Award of Excellence.

Mugler and his wife, Martha, a member of the Hampton City Council, have three children.