Ben Ayers

Benjamin C. Ayers (born July 17, 1965) is an American academic administrator and accounting professor who is the 16th president of Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina. He assumed office on August 1, 2026, after serving for a year as the senior vice president and provost of the University of Georgia.

Prior to his appointment as provost, Ayers was dean of UGA's Terry College of Business for 11 years. Ayers entered administration as director of the J.M. Tull School of Accounting for nine years prior to his selection as the 12th dean of the Terry College in 2014.

Early life and education

Ayers grew up in Heflin, Alabama, where his parents were educators. He studied accounting and taxation at the University of Alabama, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1986 and a Master of Tax Accounting in 1987. He worked as a tax accountant for five years before entering the accounting doctoral program at the University of Texas McCombs School of Business, graduating in 1996.

Career

Accounting career Prior to pursuing his PhD, Ayers worked for KPMG in Atlanta and Tampa, Florida and Complete Health Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama from 1987 to 1992.

Ayers was named director of the J.M. Tull School of Accounting in 2005 and served in that role for nine years prior to his appointment as the 12th dean of the Terry College of Business in 2014.

As provost, Ayers served as UGA's chief academic officer with primary responsibility for the university's teaching, research, and public service mission. The deans of UGA's 20 schools and colleges report to the provost, in addition to the vice presidents for instruction, research, public service and outreach, and information technology. During the 2025-26 academic year, Ayers led the creation of the Victoria Kay Ivester School of Nursing at UGA.

Clemson University On July 9, 2026, Ayers was announced as president-elect of Clemson University by its board of trustees.