Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. is the 17th president of The Ohio State University. Since arriving in January 2024, he has dedicated his time to learning about the Ohio State community and understanding what makes this university uniquely great. His current tenure continues a collaborative leadership style honed during a four-decade career in higher education and the United States Navy. He previously led the University of Nebraska System, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Naval War College.

Throughout his career in higher education, President Carter has led efforts to support student success, increase opportunities and affordability for students and families, workforce development, and grow the impact of university-led research, innovation, and clinical care.

A retired vice admiral in the United States Navy with 38 years of service, President Carter has logged more than 6,300 flying hours and holds the national record for carrier-arrested landings, with more than 2,000 mishap-free landings. In 2022, he received the U.S. Naval Academy Distinguished Graduate Award, the highest honor bestowed upon academy graduates, which has been given to just 110 individuals. President Carter earned a bachelor’s degree in physics and oceanography from the U.S. Naval Academy, where he played ice hockey for four years and served as team captain. President Carter and his wife, Lynda, have been married for 42 years and have two adult children and one grandchild.