Julie Ross named executive vice president and provost

Julie Ross, the Paul and Dorothea Torgersen Dean of the College of Engineering and special advisor to the president, has been named Virginia Tech’s next executive vice president and provost.

President Tim Sands announced Ross’s selection following the search committee’s recommendation and candidate interviews with university leadership, representatives of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, university deans, the Academic Department Heads Executive Council, the President’s Advisory Group, the Faculty Senate Cabinet, the Alumni Distinguished Professors, and a campus forum attended by more than 200 people in person and online.

Ross will officially assume her new role on Jan. 10, 2026.

“Julie is the right person to take on the academic leadership of Virginia Tech in 2026 and beyond,” said Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. “She has excelled as dean of the College of Engineering, demonstrated insight and understanding of the university’s unique land-grant mission, and advanced our comprehensive vision for the future. I look forward to working with her to further elevate Virginia Tech as a leading public global research institution.”

“I am honored by this opportunity to serve Virginia Tech and the faculty, staff, students, and community that make this an extraordinary university. I look forward to working with them to take on the new challenges and opportunities ahead in this critical inflection point for higher education,” Ross said. “Together, we will uphold our values and Principles of Community and continue working to build public trust in Virginia Tech as an innovative, effective, and efficient institution committed to the health and prosperity of the communities we serve.”

The executive vice president and provost is the university’s second-highest official and serves as the acting president in the president’s absence. The position oversees the academic enterprise that includes academic colleges, the Graduate School, libraries, health sciences and technology, Student Affairs including the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, Research and Innovation, Outreach and International Affairs, Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Academic Resource Management, Enrollment Management, Faculty Affairs, Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies, and arts at Virginia Tech. 

Additionally, the provost is heavily engaged in leading the university’s governance system, chairing the University Council in the president’s absence, co-chairing the University Council Cabinet with the Faculty Senate president, and regularly engaging with the Faculty Senate.

“Julie Ross’s reputation as an exemplary scholar and university leader has prepared her well to take on the role of provost,” said Faculty Senate President Justin Lemkul, who served on the search committee. “She has been central to many critical efforts to advance the mission of Virginia Tech around the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond. I look forward to partnering with her to address the challenges we will face in an ever-changing academic environment and to uphold academic freedom, advance shared governance, and support the interests and needs of the faculty.”

Ross joined Virginia Tech in 2017 to lead the College of Engineering (COE), one of the largest in the nation with 11 departments, two schools, and nearly 900 faculty and staff. During her tenure, enrollment grew by 28 percent and research expenditures by 22 percent. She increased engineering scholarships by 103 percent; launched new academic programs in biomedical engineering, computer science, and nuclear engineering; and contributed substantively to launching the Institute for Advanced Computing — formerly known as the Innovation Campus — in Alexandria.

As special advisor to the president, Ross led the Northern Virginia Steering Committee to strengthen Virginia Tech’s presence and engagement in the greater Washington, D.C., area; led the search to hire the university’s senior vice president for advancement; and co-chaired a campuswide process to update the university’s 2050 vision, Virginia Tech Beyond Boundaries.

“Julie Ross’s leadership and accomplishments during her tenure as dean have affirmed her ability to advance Virginia Tech’s impact and service to our students and the commonwealth,” said John Rocovich, rector of the Board of Visitors. “I’m pleased to support her appointment as provost, and the board looks forward to working with her to continue the university’s positive trajectory.” 

“We were extremely pleased to recommend Dean Ross for this key university leadership position,” said University Distinguished Professor and C.P. Miles Professor of Science Patricia Dove, who chaired the search committee. “In addition to her experience and collaborative leadership and talents as a thoughtful communicator, the strong endorsements of her peers as an effective and respected leader confirm that she is well-positioned for success as Virginia Tech’s executive vice president and provost.”

Ross received unanimous support from her fellow deans. The Council of College Deans stated, “We are unequivocal in our belief that she will be a zealous advocate for all aspects of our institution and confident she will work closely and collaboratively with the senior leadership team as well as all stakeholders for an inclusive, transdisciplinary vision of excellence in all mission areas and academic colleges. We would be proud to serve with Julie Ross in the full spirit of Ut Prosim that she personally exemplifies.”

“Having served in many leadership roles at Virginia Tech over the years, and as the son of a research faculty member, I understand the invaluable way our faculty impacts the commonwealth, the country, and the world,” said Jake Lutz, a member of the Alumni Association board of directors and of the search committee. “Virginia Tech’s alumni take great pride in the way Julie Ross has elevated the work and reputation of the College of Engineering, and I’m confident they will support her as the university’s next provost.” 

Ross reorganized the college’s advancement team to align fundraising, alumni relations, and communication. Together they increased the college’s endowment by 53 percent to $322 million, secured over $413 million in new gifts and commitments as part of the Boundless Impact campaign, increased alumni giving engagement to over 21 percent, and secured the largest gift by an alumnus in university history of $35 million.  

“Julie has successfully engaged alumni, industry, and other potential partners to support COE and expand opportunities for faculty and students,” said Tom Wamsley, senior vice president for advancement. “I look forward to working with her as provost to expand support for the university's mission and vision for the future.” 

Ross holds a bachelor's degree from Purdue University and a doctoral degree from Rice University, both in chemical engineering. A noted professor and researcher in chemical engineering and engineering education, she has authored 158 refereed papers and conference proceedings and published a book on “Engineering in the Life Sciences.” Her primary research focuses on the role of fluid mechanics in infections involving the cardiovascular system and she is an elected fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.

“Julie Ross is both an accomplished scholar and a visionary academic leader whose career exemplifies the fusion of excellence and impact. Her pioneering research in chemical and biomedical engineering and her national leadership in engineering education have shaped how we prepare the next generation of leaders and innovators,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Research and Innovation Officer Dan Sui. “As dean, she transformed Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering into a national model of excellence, growth, and strategic partnership. As provost, Julie will bring that same data-driven rigor, collaborative spirit, and forward-looking vision to elevate Virginia Tech’s academic enterprise – advancing our university’s distinction as a global destination for research, innovation, and student success.”

Prior to coming to Virginia Tech in 2017, Ross spent more than 20 years in a variety of roles at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, ultimately serving as dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology, and currently holds the title of dean emeritus.

Her many recognitions include election to the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine; Outstanding Woman Leader in Virginia Higher Education from the American Council on Education; Distinguished Engineering Alumnae Award and Outstanding Chemical Engineer Award from Purdue University; and she was named one of the Top 20 Women in Technology by the Maryland Department of Commerce.

Ross has served on the National Science Foundation Engineering Directorate Advisory Committee and NASA Advisory Council STEM Engagement Committee. She is a member of the Global Engineering Dean’s Council, the American Institute for Chemical Engineers, and the American Society for Engineering Education.

At Virginia Tech, in addition to chairing the Northern Virginia Steering Committee, she chairs the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science Stakeholder Committee and serves on the Athletics Committee, the President’s Council and President’s Cabinet, the Virginia Tech Advantage Steering Committee, the Academic Affairs Council, the Council of College Deans, the University Council, the University Promotion and Tenure Committee, and several institute stakeholder committees.

Over the next two months, Ross will work with Executive Vice President and Provost Cyril Clarke, who is stepping down in early January to return to the faculty, to ensure a smooth transition for the entire Virginia Tech community.

“It has been a privilege working closely with Julie during my service as provost and I have great confidence in her ability to guide Virginia Tech forward in support of its goals to provide a high-quality education to students, produce impactful scholarship, and transfer the benefits of learning and discovery to the communities we serve,” Clarke said. “As I pass the torch to her during this critical time in higher education, I know that she will build on the accomplishments of the past decade and continue Virginia Tech’s momentum toward global distinction.”

The transition will include the appointment of David Knight as interim dean of the College of Engineering. Knight is a professor of engineering education, serving as chief of strategy for the college and special assistant to the provost. A global search for a new dean will begin in the coming weeks.

“I appreciate David taking on this interim role as we seek the right person to lead COE and support our collective vision for the university’s future,” said Ross. “I am deeply grateful for all the outstanding academic leaders who serve Virginia Tech and am excited to work with them to continue our growth across the commonwealth and the world."

Sands expressed his appreciation for the search committee, faculty, staff, and alumni leadership, and members of the campus community who participated in the forum.

“I’m proud of the way our university came together to meet this important moment – this is Hokie Nation at its best,” Sands said. “With Julie Ross as provost, we will accelerate the success of our colleges, institutes, and strategic priorities, and further elevate the reputation and impact of Virginia Tech around the world.”