On Monday, Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez announced that Donald J. Leo has been named the university’s executive vice president and provost effective July 1, 2024.
“We are so excited and fortunate to welcome Don to the OHIO community. As a proven academic leader, scholar and educator, he has demonstrated effectiveness in working collaboratively to support students and faculty, which will positively impact the entire University community,” Gonzalez said. “Don will be a strong partner in advancing our academic mission to meet the needs of current and future students. I look forward to working alongside him to advance our dynamic strategies.”
Leo, who most recently served as the first dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Georgia, is a professor of mechanical engineering whose higher education career spans over 25 years. During his tenure as dean, engineering enrollment at UGA grew fourfold to over 2,700 students, research activity increased significantly, and the college developed numerous partnerships and outreach activities to enhance community engagement.
Previously, he served as associate dean for research and graduate studies at the Virginia Tech College of Engineering and professor of mechanical engineering and vice president and executive director of the National Capital Region operations, also at Virginia Tech. In conjunction with his position at Virginia Tech, Leo served as a program manager for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, a unit of the Department of Defense, where he created programs in the field of biologically inspired materials and systems and managed a portfolio of approximately $50 million in interdisciplinary research.
Leo’s research focuses on smart materials and he has served as principal investigator on 50 research grants and contracts with approximately $12 million in extramural funding.
He holds doctorate and master’s degrees in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Buffalo, and a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to have been selected as Ohio University’s next executive vice president and provost,” Leo said. “I am passionate about helping students and faculty reach their full potential and look forward to working across campus and with our partners to support student success, advance scholarship and enhance the excellence of OHIO’s educational experience.”
Gonzalez extended her gratitude to Elizabeth Sayrs, who has served executive vice president and provost since 2020.
Sayrs was originally hired on a three-year contract. Due to the COVID pandemic, that contract was extended to maintain leadership continuity, according to Ohio University.
Ohio University chose Leo from three finalists. The candidates were brought to campus between March 20-29 for interviews and open forums. Information on the candidates was published on a website accessible to Ohio University community members through proper log-in credentials.
Most Popular
Comments / 0