Seth Andrew Bodnar (born February 2, 1979) is an American academic administrator, veteran, and business executive who was the 19th president of the University of Montana. He is a graduate of West Point and was a Rhodes Scholar with master's degrees from Hertford College, Oxford. In January 2026, Bodnar resigned his post as president of the University of Montana, and two months later he officially announced his run for U.S. Senate in 2026. Bodnar is married to Chelsea Bodnar, a pediatrician and fifth-generation Montanan. The couple, who met as Rhodes Scholars, have three children and live in Missoula, Montana.
Bodnar served in the 101st Airborne Division and as a Green Beret in the US Army's 1st Special Forces Group. He commanded a Special Forces detachment on multiple deployments and served as Special Assistant to the Commanding General in Iraq. From 2003 to 2004, he was deployed to Iraq and served in the 101st Airborne Division. Bodnar later served in the 1st Special Forces Group and commanded a detachment during additional overseas deployments. In 2008, Bodnar was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq. Following his deployments, Bodnar returned to West Point, where he served as an assistant professor, taught economics, mentored cadets, and published research on economic development in conflict areas. In 2011, Bodnar joined General Electric (GE), eventually becoming a senior executive in GE's transportation division.