From India to Ohio State president: The journey of Ravi V. Bellamkonda

Bellamkonda, a biomedical engineer who previously served as provost, becomes OSU's 18th president amid faculty concerns over the rushed selection process.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 8:06pm

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Ravi V. Bellamkonda, a biomedical engineer and neuroscientist, has been named the 18th president of Ohio State University. Bellamkonda, who was previously the university's provost, was appointed to the top job less than a week after the sudden resignation of former president Ted Carter over an inappropriate relationship. The fast-tracked selection process has raised concerns among faculty, who say they were not properly consulted. Bellamkonda, who was born in India and became a U.S. citizen, has a long history in Ohio, having previously worked at Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Cavaliers. As president, he will face several challenges, including addressing faculty concerns over shared governance, handling the ongoing controversy over the Les Wexner name on campus buildings, and continuing to support survivors of sexual abuse by former team physician Richard Strauss.

Why it matters

Bellamkonda's appointment as OSU president comes at a critical time for the university, which has faced multiple leadership scandals in recent years. The rushed selection process without faculty input has raised concerns about the university's decision-making and commitment to shared governance. As president, Bellamkonda will need to rebuild trust with the faculty and address several high-profile issues that have damaged the university's reputation.

The details

Bellamkonda, who was born and raised in India, took his first flight to the U.S. in 1989 to earn a PhD at Brown University. He later became a U.S. citizen. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship at MIT, he spent time as a professor and administrator at Case Western Reserve University, Georgia Tech, Emory, and Duke before joining OSU as provost. In his new role as president, Bellamkonda will earn a $1.4 million base salary, a country club membership, and $75,000 in annual fringe benefits. He will also be eligible for performance bonuses and retention payments.

  • Bellamkonda was named the 18th president of Ohio State University on March 12, 2026.
  • Former OSU president Ted Carter resigned on March 7, 2026 over an inappropriate relationship.

The players

Ravi V. Bellamkonda

The new 18th president of Ohio State University, a biomedical engineer and neuroscientist who previously served as the university's provost.

Ted Carter

The former president of Ohio State University who resigned on March 7, 2026 over an inappropriate relationship.

Ohio Conference of the American Association of University Professors

The organization that issued a statement expressing faculty concerns over the rushed selection process for the new OSU president.

Benjamin Johnson

The chief spokesman for Ohio State University.

Lalita Kaligotla

Ravi V. Bellamkonda's wife, who is a professor in the OSU College of Nursing.

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What’s next

Bellamkonda said he plans to appoint an interim provost and conduct a national search for a permanent provost, while also addressing faculty concerns over shared governance.

The takeaway

Bellamkonda's appointment as OSU president comes at a critical juncture for the university, which has faced multiple leadership scandals in recent years. His ability to rebuild trust with the faculty, address high-profile controversies, and lead the university through challenging times will be closely watched.