Office of the President

WPI president grace wang standing outside campus building

Grace Wang, PhD

A materials scientist and highly accomplished and collaborative leader in higher education, government, and industry, Grace Wang, PhD, began her term as the 17th president of WPI on April 3, 2023. 
Learn more about the career path that led Grace to WPI. 
CONTACT
Location: Boynton Hall
Office Location: 1st floor
Phone: 508-831-5200
In a community where transforming lives is as much about student well-being as it is about our distinctive project-based education and purpose-driven research, I have found my place, my home, as WPI’s 17th president.
Two students, one in red top and one in yellow top, sit talking with President Wang at a conference table

Moving Forward Together

Read President Wang's message to the community as she takes the helm on April 3, 2023. 

Read President Wang's Message
Grace Wang sitting at a table with an open laptop in front of her, slightly to the side

President Wang Shares Her Thoughts in Q&A

In a Q&A with WPI's Journal, President Wang shared her excitement for working with the campus community to advance WPI's strengths in purpose-driven education and research.

Read the Q&A

Getting to Know the WPI Community

As the president-elect, Wang visited campus numerous times to meet and engage in conversations with WPI students, faculty, staff, and community members.

"All my interactions and listening have deepened my understanding of our history, culture, and community and excited me for what’s ahead." —President Grace Wang
Grace Wang meets students

President-elect Wang attended the President's IQP Awards ceremony, an annual event that recognizes student teams whose Interactive Qualifying Project work (a required project that addresses an open-ended problem at the intersection of science, technology, and society) is determined to be outstanding.

Wang with students

WPI students had the chance to meet the incoming president at the Rubin Campus Center during a recent visit to campus.

Grace Wang speaking

President-elect Grace Wang’s first address to the WPI community on November 7.

Students chat with President-elect Wang.

On a recent campus visit, students had the opportunity to chat with President-elect Wang.

Theory and Practice: Our Founding Tradition Since 1865

The nation’s third-oldest private technological university, WPI was founded amid the bustle of the American Industrial Revolution. Our distinctive approach to education began with a compromise that led to a breakthrough: combining a college that would provide a scientific education to young people destined for emerging technical careers with a school that could elevate the traditional apprenticeship system for mechanics and other technical tradespeople. By blending these visions, WPI created a new approach to higher education unlike any that had come before—one that combined theory with practice. This Two Towers Tradition has guided the university for more than 150 years.

University History
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Media Coverage

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Boston Business Journal
Worcester looks to become a drug manufacturing hub

President Grace Wang talked to the Boston Business Journal about Worcester's opportunity to provide the space, research, talent and manufacturing capability to fuel a drug manufacturing boom. 

Worcester Business Journal
Holy Cross, WPI team up to offer combined master’s degrees

Innovative dual degree programs will offer a 4+1 pathway for students to earn a master’s at WPI. The Worcester Business Journal reported on the announcement that degrees will be available in mechanical engineering, and electrical and computer engineering, with more offerings expected to be available in the near future.

Telegram.com
Keep town and gown bonds strong in Worcester

President Grace Wang co-authored a guest column with seven other presidents of private higher education institutions in Central Massachusetts. The column highlights an economic impact study that finds private higher education contributes $3 billion annually to the region. The piece emphasizes WPI’s research and innovation that has translated into startups, patents, and license agreements.