The Ohio State University Board of Trustees has appointed Ravi V. Bellamkonda as the university’s 18th president, following a unanimous vote. Bellamkonda assumed the role on March 12, 2026, succeeding former president Ted Carter, who stepped down earlier in the week.
Bellamkonda previously served as executive vice president and provost, Ohio State’s chief academic officer responsible for overseeing academic programs, faculty, and research strategy. A biomedical engineer and neuroscientist, he joined the university in 2025 after serving as dean of the School of Engineering at Emory University in Atlanta.
Board Chair John Zeiger said Bellamkonda’s leadership and research background position him to guide the university through its next phase of growth.
“His vast experience, personal values and strong record here at Ohio State give this board great confidence that Dr. Ravi Bellamkonda is the right person to lead the university,” Zeiger said.
Founded in 1870, Ohio State is one of the largest public universities in the United States, with more than 67,000 students enrolled across its Columbus campus and regional campuses. The university offers over 200 undergraduate majors and more than 100 doctoral programs and confers hundreds of professional degrees annually in fields including law, medicine, and dentistry.
The institution is also a major research and economic driver in the state. Ohio State reported nearly $1.7 billion in annual research expenditures and contributes an estimated $19 billion in economic impact to Ohio each year through research activity, workforce development, and innovation.
Bellamkonda said he plans to build on Ohio State’s strengths in research, health care and education while continuing to expand its role in advancing innovation and opportunity across the state.
