The search for a provost and vice president of academic affairs ended July 1 when Dr. Bahman Ghorashi accepted an invitation to join the Tennessee Tech faculty.
Ghorashi previously served in multiple capacities at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio. He said he is very enthusiastic about his move to TTU.
“I am, first of all, delighted to be here,” Ghorashi said. “It’s a wonderful place, not only the University but also the city of Cookeville.”
Before coming to Tech, Ghorashi served as a professor of biochemical and chemical engineering, dean of the College of Engineering, and founding and executive director of the Fenn Research and Development Institute at CSU.
Ghorashi comes to campus with high success rates in his background. During his time as the engineering dean, CSU saw a 146 percent increase in freshman enrollment as well as a 92 percent increase in incoming transfer rates. At the same time, the college also experienced a 51 percent increase in new graduate rates.
The new provost has gone straight to work in an effort to bring the same results to Tech’s campus.
“Prior to coming to Tennessee Tech, I was the executive director of two institutes and then prior to that dean of a college,” Ghorashi said. “I’ve been in administrative positions for some time and as a result of all of these I have experience that I think would be very useful in what we are going to do here.
“I’ve been here for just over two months,” said Ghorashi. “I’ve spent quite a bit of time meeting with folks and talking to them and figuring out their needs and wants.”
Ghorashi will be using the feedback he has received to implement the aspects of the Flight Plan President Phil Oldham laid out last semester.
“My plan is to work with this great team and really focus on our students,” Ghorashi said.
Several of the ideas Ghorashi plans on implementing are already underway. Tech is looking into developing Student Success Council composed of faculty, staff and students. An Honors College as well as a “one-stop-shop student center”, currently being referred to as Campus Compass, are also in the stages of planning. More information about these advancements will be made available later in the semester.
Ghorashi said his main focus is to improve the undergraduate experience by meeting the students. “I would love to meet the students. If I can be of any service or assistance to them, I would love to do that.”
Ghorashi received his doctoral and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from Ohio State University. He received his bachelor’s degree in the same field from Wayne State University.
The new provost has authored or co-authored almost 80 publications and books and has received numerous certifications, honors and awards, including acting as a summer faculty fellow at NASA’s Lewis Research Center.
