Executive Vice President and Provost, Dr. Julie Ross

Dr. Julie Ross became Virginia Tech’s Executive Vice President and Provost in January 2026, after having served as the Paul and Dorothea Torgersen Dean of the College of Engineering since 2017 and a special advisor to Virginia Tech President Tim Sands since 2023.

Under Ross’ leadership, Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering, one of the largest in the nation with 11 departments, two schools, and nearly 900 faculty and staff, experienced enrollment growth of nearly 30 percent and saw research expenditures grow by over 20 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 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 and co-chaired a campuswide process to update the university’s 2050 vision, Virginia Tech Beyond Boundaries.

A noted professor and researcher in chemical engineering and engineering education, Ross 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.

Prior to coming to Virginia Tech, 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.

Ross holds a bachelor's degree from Purdue University and a doctoral degree from Rice University, both in chemical engineering.