Ronald Stephen Rochon was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Illinois.

Rochon attended Tuskegee Institute and graduated with a bachelor's degree in animal science in 1983.

[9] Rochon has served as chair of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities' board of directors since 2023.

[11] The following week, USI announced that Steven J. Bridges would replace Rochon as interim president effective July 20, 2024.

[citation needed] Rochon is a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.