Trending Now - Ravi Bellamkonda Named 18th President of Ohio State University

WHO:

Ravi V. Bellamkonda, 18th president of The Ohio State University

John W. Zeiger, chair of the university’s Board of Trustees

Ted Carter, former president of The Ohio State University

Dr. Lalita Kaligotla, Bellamkonda's wife

Jared Gardner, University Senate Secretary

Valarie Williams, Faculty Council Chair

Phillip Popovich, faculty representative to the Board of Trustees

Eric Bielefeld, faculty representative to the Board of Trustees

WHAT:

Ravi V. Bellamkonda appointed as the 18th president of The Ohio State University, effective immediately.

Bellamkonda served as executive vice president and provost since January 14, 2025.

Bellamkonda led initiatives such as AI Fluency and a new Career Center of Excellence.

Bellamkonda's appointment follows the resignation of Ted Carter, who resigned due to an inappropriate relationship.

WHERE:

The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia

Duke University, Durham, North Carolina

Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

WHEN:

Bellamkonda's appointment announced on March 12, 2026.

Bellamkonda began his role as provost on January 14, 2025.

Ted Carter resigned on March 9, 2026.

Bellamkonda received the National Institutes of Health Director’s Transformative Research Award in 2021.

WHY:

Bellamkonda was chosen for his proven track record as an innovator and collaborator in higher education.

Ted Carter resigned after the university learned of his inappropriate relationship with Kristanhe Vlachos.

HOW:

Bellamkonda's leadership involved collaboration with various university departments and initiatives aimed at enhancing academic excellence and student success.

The Board of Trustees made the decision to promote Bellamkonda from within the university.

(UPDATED March 12, 2026 23:06 UTC)

Ravi V. Bellamkonda has been appointed as the 18th president of The Ohio State University, effective immediately, following the resignation of Ted Carter due to an inappropriate relationship. Bellamkonda, who previously served as executive vice president and provost since January 14, 2025, was chosen for his strong track record as an innovator and collaborator in higher education. His leadership has included initiatives like AI Fluency and a new Career Center of Excellence, and the decision to promote him came from the university's Board of Trustees.