Julie Ross, Virginia Tech’s new executive vice president and provost, brings a contagious energy and a passion for working collectively across the university.
Building on her experience guiding strategic vision as dean in the College of Engineering, she’s excited to foster collaboration and create momentum on a universitywide scale. Her focus is on listening, learning, and shaping a shared path toward Virginia Tech’s future.
What excites you most about stepping into your new role as executive vice president and provost?
I’m energized by the opportunity to work with people across the university, to think collectively about Virginia Tech’s future, and to create a clear path to get there.
In the College of Engineering, we set a strong strategic direction together and seeing that momentum grow has been incredibly rewarding. Being able to help guide that kind of vision on a universitywide scale will be an exciting new endeavor.
What will you miss about being dean of the College of Engineering?
I’ll miss the day-to-day collaboration with the college’s leadership team. They are an exceptional, deeply committed group, and we’ve built a strong and effective partnership.
I know I’ll find that same sense of collaboration in the provost’s office, but I’ll truly miss working with the people I have worked with every day over the past several years.
You became dean in 2017 and later served as special advisor to the president. What experiences from these roles are you bringing into the provost’s office?
From the dean role, the strategic planning work has been pivotal. I’ve learned how to build a shared vision across a large, complex college and move it forward efficiently. Our work with alumni and advancement — including transformational philanthropy like the Mitchell Hall gift — has also shaped my understanding of what’s possible when we engage our community.
As special advisor to the president, leading the Northern Virginia Steering Committee allowed me to work with senior leaders across the institution and engage deeply with faculty and staff in the region. That experience, along with work on the Beyond Boundaries vision update, helped me develop a broad universitywide lens that I’ll bring with me into the provost role.
What are you currently reading?
“Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Gamus
What are you currently binging?
I don’t binge often, but over the Thanksgiving break I started watching “Loot” on Apple TV. I’m looking forward to the next season of “Bridgerton” and need to catch up with “Stranger Things.”
What do you like to do for fun?
I love spending time with my family. My husband, Brian, and I travel to Maine as often as we can to visit our 1-year-old grandson.
I enjoy traveling, baking, reading, and getting outdoors — hiking and biking both at home and during our travels. We took a memorable hiking trip to New Zealand about a year ago.
What keeps you grounded during a busy week?
My family.
Who has influenced you most as a person?
My parents and grandparents, but most of all my daughters, Meg and Amanda. They keep me on my toes, and I learn a great deal from them.
If you could share one message with the university community, what would it be?
I’m excited to get to know people across the university, hear their perspectives, and learn what excites them about Virginia Tech and its future.
What is your favorite Hokie tradition?
Hearing the Corps of Cadets and the Highty-Tighties on the Drillfield before the start of the academic year. For me, it’s the signal that fall is coming and the campus is awakening again with student energy. From my office, I can hear them right outside my window. It’s one of the best sounds on campus.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I'm a morning person. I typically wake up at 6 a.m.
What is your favorite place on campus?
The Drillfield.
Share one thing people might be surprised to learn about you.
I prefer cars with a manual transmission and drive a stick-shift Miata – a small reminder that there’s always room for fun.
How do you view the relationship between fundamental research and applied, translational work at a land-grant public research university?
I don’t see these as separate different things. Research, innovation, and creative achievement exist along a spectrum — from the most fundamental discovery to applied work that moves into real-world impact. Faculty often contribute across this entire spectrum through different projects.
As a land-grant institution, we have a responsibility to advance knowledge and to translate that knowledge into meaningful impact. We can only do that well by supporting work across the full continuum and ensuring that faculty and students have the flexibility to define their contributions within it. The goal isn’t to balance two competing priorities — it’s to excel across the whole spectrum.