Provost's Council

Andrew Sears, PhD, is Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and professor in the Department of Computer Science at WPI. 

Building on more than 30 years of higher education experience, Sears brings a unique blend of technical expertise, administrative excellence, and collaborative leadership style to his role as the university’s chief academic officer.  ...

Jeffrey Bardzell is Peterson Family Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he provides leadership in higher education strategy, liberal arts in polytechnic contexts, and AI in teaching and learning. Internationally recognized for his interdisciplinary scholarship, Bardzell was originally trained in comparative literature and philosophy and subsequently transitioned to informatics, human-computer interaction, and design research. ...

Kelly Draper is a Senior Director of Talent Strategies for Academic Affairs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where she partners with senior leadership to advance faculty and staff talent strategy, organizational design, and employee relations. With nearly two decades of experience in higher education and nonprofit HR — spanning roles at WPI, Shelburne Museum, and Boston University — Kelly specializes in talent acquisition, labor relations, compensation strategy, and building people-centered programs that support organizational goals. ...

Dr. Kwamie Dunbar is the Interim Dean and Professor of Finance in the WPI Business School. In addition to his extensive experience in teaching and research, he has a wealth of industry experience working with several fortune 500 companies in various capacities. ...

Arne Gericke is the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, and a Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry.

The research in my lab is generally concerned with the biophysical characterization of lipid mediated protein functions. ...

Anna Gold joined the WPI community as University Librarian in 2017. She brought with her a passion for and dedication to polytechnic learning and interdisciplinary research.

At WPI she has led projects to renew Gordon Library spaces to better serve as vibrant, productive working and learning spaces where students feel empowered and supported. She has also led the library’s Digital WPI initiative that showcases WPI student projects and research as well as the cultural and historical treasures of the WPI Archives. ...

Dr. Jessica C. Hill is Director of the Morgan Teaching & Learning Center and Associate Professor of Psychology in the Social Science and Policy Studies Department at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where she leads institute-wide efforts to support effective teaching and meaningful student learning. Her work centers on helping faculty explore practices that align with their strengths while creating active, engaged experiences that promote deep learning. ...

Olga Klochkova is the Associate Vice President of Finance & Operations. She is a critical thought partner on both strategic and tactical financial decision-making to the EVP/CFO. ...

Dr. Daniel G. Linzell, P.E., F.ASCE, F.SEI, is the Bernard M. Gordon Dean of the School of Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Prior to becoming Dean, he served as Associate Dean for Graduate and International Programs and was the Leslie D. Martin Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) from September 2018 to October 2025. He concurrently directed the Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation in the Directorate for Engineering at the National Science Foundation between June 2023 and August 2025. ...

Elissa leads WPI's Office of Institutional Research, Analytics, and Assessment (IRAA), supporting the university's data, assessment, reporting, and academic systems needs. Through partnerships across campus, she and her team help provide information and analysis that support planning, decision-making, and continuous improvement. ...

As University Registrar, Sarah leads a team of professionals dedicated to supporting the educational goals of WPI by upholding academic policy and the integrity of student information, while striving to provide excellent customer service to all members of the WPI community.  After ten years in various roles within higher education, she joined WPI in February 2014 and became University Registrar in June 2016.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Towson University and her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Emerson College.

I am delighted to collaborate with students and colleagues to enhance WPI’s global impact. WPI offers a vibrant and dynamic environment that emphasizes experiential learning and interdisciplinary research, with near-peer mentorship spanning the undergraduate and graduate programs and external stakeholders. ...

Sarah Stanlick, Ph.D., is the Associate Dean of the Global School and Associate Professor in the Department of Integrative and Global Studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She is a social scientist and community-engaged researcher who studies how technology can empower, connect, and support populations experiencing vulnerability and/or marginalization. ...

Bogdan Vernescu is Professor of mathematical sciences and the Vice President and Vice Provost for Research and Innovation. ...

Project-based learning is an enormously powerful approach to education. I’ve been changed by it; I’ve watched students be changed by it. I’ve seen faculty develop a renewed sense of joy in teaching from using it. And now, after over a decade of using PBL with students, I’m embarking on a new phase of helping faculty implement PBL through the work of the Center for Project-Based Learning. The good news - working with faculty on PBL is as much fun as working with students!