WSU Selects New Provost
OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved the appointment of Ravi Krovi as provost and vice president of Academic Affairs.
Krovi comes from the University of Akron (UofA) where, since 2002, he has worked as a professor, the director of the Center for Information Technologies and eBusiness, chair of the Department of Management and as dean of the College of Business Administration for 10 years.
“Dr. Krovi brings the experience and demeanor to be a forward-thinking and collaborative leader,” said WSU President Brad Mortensen. “His passion for a student-centered approach fits extraordinarily well with Weber State's legacy and commitment to student success.”
Krovi said he was impressed by Weber State’s national model as a dual-mission university, where students have flexibility to earn certificates and advance from associate’s to bachelor’s to graduate degrees. He also noted Weber State’s affordability and open-enrollment admission policy, which provide access to higher education.
“When I read about Weber State, I saw a comprehensive public university that has a great mix of quality programs in the liberal arts, professional and technical disciplines, and the sciences and engineering.” Krovi said. “I recognized a tremendous opportunity to facilitate and lead an institution invested in academic quality and innovation. I really appreciate the commitment to accessibility and affordability, which is important to me and aligns with my own values.”
Krovi’s selection follows a national search and months-long hiring process. Fifty-five candidates representing 24 states and four countries applied.
As vice president for Academic Affairs, the provost is responsible for ensuring quality and excellence in the school’s curriculum. The provost oversees seven colleges, Stewart Library, and Enrollment Services as well as supports Weber State’s student success initiatives that keep students enrolled and progressing toward graduation.
“It was very apparent that Weber State faculty and staff are passionate about student success,” Krovi said. “I felt a sense of community when I visited campus. Additionally, the campus setting is spectacular with the background of the Wasatch Mountains. All of that combined to make me very excited to be offered the position. I look forward to collaborating with the university community and President Mortensen and his leadership team.”
Krovi also brings a passion for sports. He plans to be in the stands at as many Wildcat athletic events as possible. He’s happy to admit one of his favorite NBA players is former Wildcat Damian Lillard.
Krovi earned a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems & Decision Sciences from The University of Memphis, Tennessee (UofM), in 1993, his master’s in mathematical sciences with concentrations in computer science and statistics at UofM and his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering at the University of Baroda, India.
“I grew up in Mumbai, India and am the product of a middle-class background,” Krovi said. “My grandfather was an educator, and both my parents really instilled the value of education. The idea of moving to a different country and gaining expertise through research and graduate studies and then continuing to serve in academia, I think that was all inspired by my family.”
Enabling and enhancing student success is Krovi’s passion. He’s particularly proud of professional development and diversity initiatives he and colleagues developed at UofA, which attracted and retained a wide variety of students and faculty. He also established peer mentoring to help high school students make the transition to the university, as well as professional-development opportunities that helped their graduates succeed when they entered the workforce.
Krovi will succeed Madonne Miner, who last spring announced she would step down as provost at the end of 2019. Krovi will assume his new role March 1, 2020.
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Allison Barlow Hess, Public Relations director
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu- Contact:
Allison Barlow Hess, Public Relations director
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu