In a swift and decisive move, The Ohio State University Board of Trustees has appointed Ravi Bellamkonda as its 18th president, just days after the abrupt resignation of Ted Carter. The news, announced on March 12, 2026, marks a significant moment for one of the country’s largest public research universities, as Bellamkonda steps into the role effective immediately, ending speculation and providing much-needed stability amid a period of turbulence.
Bellamkonda’s elevation to the presidency comes at a time when Ohio State is seeking both continuity and renewed vision. According to WSYX, the appointment follows Carter’s resignation less than a week prior, stemming from allegations of an inappropriate relationship involving a podcast sponsored by JobsOhio. The university’s quick decision to promote from within, rather than launch a national search or appoint an interim leader, was underscored by Board Chair John Zeiger, who praised Bellamkonda’s “vast experience, his personal values and management skills, his strong record here at Ohio State and his ability to inspire excellence in all those around him.” Zeiger added, “The right leader is already at our university.”
Bellamkonda, a native of India, brings a wealth of academic and administrative experience to the position. His journey began with a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Osmania University before earning a Ph.D. in medical science and biomaterials from Brown University. He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, further cementing his credentials as a bioengineer and neuroscientist. Over the years, he has held leadership, research, or teaching roles at several top institutions, including Case Western Reserve University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, and Duke University.
Prior to his arrival in Columbus in January 2025, Bellamkonda served as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Emory University, a position he held for four years. He also led the joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory, and served as the Vinik Dean of the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University from 2016 to 2021. His research career is equally distinguished: In 2021, he received a National Institutes of Health Director’s Transformative Research Award for designing a “tractor beam” to treat pediatric brain tumors, showcasing his innovative approach to tackling complex medical challenges. He currently holds 11 patents, as reported by Signal Statewide.
Since joining Ohio State, Bellamkonda has served as the university’s executive vice president and provost, overseeing 15 colleges, four regional campuses, and more than 8,600 faculty members, according to The Columbus Dispatch. During his 14-month tenure, he played a pivotal role in shaping academic operations and strategic vision for nearly 67,000 students—the scale of which makes Ohio State one of the largest public research universities in the nation. Bellamkonda was instrumental in launching several initiatives, including the Education for Citizenship 2035 strategic plan, the AI Fluency initiative, the Career Center of Excellence, and new faculty hiring programs.
In his remarks following the appointment, Bellamkonda struck a tone of optimism and determination. “Looking ahead, knowing our collective strengths, I promise you this: Together we will take on hard things that are worth doing,” he said, as quoted by WBNS. “Hard things that are worth doing in athletics, in healthcare, in education, in fact, in all the things we do. We will lead, and we will not be afraid to lead.” His words resonated with a campus community eager for steady leadership after a period of rapid turnover—Bellamkonda is now the fourth president in six years at Ohio State, a statistic that stands out even as the average tenure of university presidents nationwide continues to shrink.
The circumstances surrounding Carter’s resignation added urgency to the board’s decision. According to WSYX, Carter’s departure was triggered by revelations of an inappropriate relationship with a woman seeking public resources for her personal business—a relationship that involved a podcast sponsored by JobsOhio. JobsOhio Press Secretary Matt Englehart confirmed that the organization invested $15,000 per episode for a pilot series of four episodes, though only one episode was completed. The podcast, which aimed to connect veterans to Ohio’s aerospace, defense, and energy sectors, was recorded at the WOSU building, highlighting the intersection of university resources and external business interests. The university has not released further details about the relationship or its internal review process.
The board’s decision to bypass a lengthy search and instead elevate Bellamkonda was not without precedent. As Signal Statewide noted, Cleveland State University took a similar approach in 2022 when it replaced its president with the provost, a move that resulted in long-term stability. Still, the rumor mill in Columbus had been active, with names like former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel and former university president Gordon Gee floated as possible successors. Ultimately, the board chose continuity and expertise, with Zeiger emphasizing that Bellamkonda “has earned the trust of the faculty and the Board of Trustees to smoothly assume the leadership.”
Bellamkonda’s appointment has been met with cautious optimism from faculty, students, and alumni. His track record as a researcher, educator, and administrator—along with his demonstrated ability to manage large, complex organizations—positions him well to address Ohio State’s immediate challenges. These include rebuilding trust after the leadership shakeup, maintaining the university’s academic and research excellence, and advancing strategic initiatives in a rapidly changing higher education landscape.
In the coming weeks, the university will announce its plans for leadership of the provost’s office, as Bellamkonda transitions fully into his new role. Meanwhile, Ohio State’s community is watching closely to see how the new president navigates the dual imperatives of stability and progress. Bellamkonda’s family—including his wife, Dr. Lalita Kaligotla, their two children, and a goldendoodle named C.J.—will be joining him in Columbus, underscoring the personal commitment he brings to the Buckeye community.
As Ohio State turns the page on a challenging chapter, Ravi Bellamkonda’s appointment signals both a return to stability and a renewed commitment to excellence across academics, research, athletics, and beyond. The university’s future, it seems, is once again in steady hands.