North Columbus News

Ravi Bellamkonda has returned to Ohio after more than two decades, assuming the role of executive vice president and provost at The Ohio State University. Previously, he was affiliated with Emory University and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Adjusting to the colder climate is a challenge for him, but he finds warmth in the community's friendliness.

“The warmth and friendliness of the people remains the same,” Bellamkonda remarked. He appreciates that "people are genuine when they ask you how you are."

Bellamkonda joined forces with President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr., who sought a provost to complement his non-traditional academic background. Their shared dedication to higher education facilitated an immediate connection.

“What united us in our first conversations was a passionate feeling that higher ed is important to this country,” Bellamkonda said. He believes institutions like Ohio State play a transformative role for students and their families.

Carter impressed Bellamkonda as both a leader and individual. “He’s just a good human being," Bellamkonda noted, admiring Carter's integrity and thoughtful approach.

Ohio State aims to extend its reach beyond Columbus, according to Bellamkonda. “I’d like us to be a porous university,” he explained, emphasizing openness towards communities and industries.

The university is already active in community engagement through various programs such as Extension offices and research collaborations worldwide.

While science is his primary field, Bellamkonda advocates for arts and humanities within education. He challenges misconceptions about liberal arts: “They do a fantastic job with critical thinking, analytic rigor, communication skills – all necessary to be successful beyond your first job.”

He stresses that societal issues are fundamentally human rather than technological problems: “If you look at the problems in the world, they’re not technological problems... While technology can play a role in helping us solve these problems, the problems are human.”

Ohio State's diverse academic offerings attracted him to Columbus. “The university is incredible," he said. "People say Ohio State is a state school. It feels like it’s the school for the whole state.”

As provost, Bellamkonda frequently interacts with students who often grapple with self-doubt regarding their intelligence.

“Really successful people in life have to be smart enough to do what they need to do,” he advises students while encouraging them not to compare themselves with others unnecessarily.

“Otherwise," he reassures them about their capabilities, "you wouldn’t be here.”