Ohio State President Resigns After Inappropriate Relationship Revealed

Ted Carter's resignation comes after just over two years as the university's 17th president.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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On Monday, March 9, 2026, Ohio State University president Walter 'Ted' Carter Jr. resigned from his position after disclosing an 'inappropriate relationship with someone seeking public resources to support her personal business.' The Board of Trustees accepted Carter's resignation, with the board chair stating they 'appreciate the president's contributions to the university over the last two years.' Carter, who previously served as president of the University of Nebraska System, had a 'big voice in the Big Ten' conference.

Why it matters

Carter's resignation comes as a surprise, as he was seen as an influential figure in the Big Ten conference. His departure raises questions about the university's leadership and the circumstances surrounding his inappropriate relationship, which led to his abrupt exit just over two years into his tenure.

The details

In his resignation statement, Carter acknowledged 'making a mistake in allowing inappropriate access to Ohio State leadership' and said he was resigning 'for personal reasons.' The chair of the Ohio State Board of Trustees, John Zeiger, thanked Carter for his contributions to the university during his time as president.

  • On Monday, March 9, 2026, Carter resigned as Ohio State University president.
  • Carter became the 17th president of Ohio State University on January 1, 2024.

The players

Walter 'Ted' Carter Jr.

The former president of Ohio State University who resigned after disclosing an inappropriate relationship.

John Zeiger

The chair of the Ohio State University Board of Trustees, who accepted Carter's resignation and thanked him for his contributions.

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What they’re saying

“The board appreciates the president's contributions to the university over the last two years.”

— John Zeiger, Chair, Ohio State University Board of Trustees (10 WBNS)

“For personal reasons, I have made the difficult decision to resign from my role as president of The Ohio State University. I disclosed to the board of trustees that I made a mistake in allowing inappropriate access to Ohio State leadership.”

— Walter 'Ted' Carter Jr. (10 WBNS)

What’s next

It is unclear what Carter's next steps will be after resigning as Ohio State University president.

The takeaway

Carter's resignation highlights the importance of ethical leadership and accountability in higher education institutions. The circumstances surrounding his inappropriate relationship and abrupt departure raise concerns about the university's governance and the need for stronger oversight to prevent such incidents in the future.