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. Immediately prior to joining WPI, Sears served as Professor and Dean of the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University, where he focused on supporting interdisciplinary efforts that produced new academic programs and ...

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.Professor Dunbar’s research has appeared in leading economics and finance journals such as Quantitative Finance, Economic Modeling, International Review of Financial Analysis, and Research in International Business and Finance, amongst others. His research has received considerable attention via citations, and he regularly presents his ...

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.We are particularly interested in studying phosphoinositide mediated signaling pathways. Phosphoinositide lipids represent only a small fraction of lipids in cellular membranes, yet their importance for cellular processes cannot be overstated. Phosphoinositides mediate physiological functions by regulating the activity and/or ...

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.Anna began her career as a research librarian at the Library of Congress. In 1994, ...

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. Across Morgan Center initiatives, she brings evidence-based practices into course design, instructional decision-making, and faculty ...

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. Olga is overseeing accounting, audit, endowment and debt management, financial services, procurement-to-payables, student and grant accounting, as well as directing effective budget and planning processes in alignment with the strategic priorities of the WPI.  As part of her role, she is communicating financial information and insights to the division leaders, the senior leadership, and Board of Trustees ...

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. From 2013 to ...

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. , basic_html

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 with external stakeholders. The unique balance between theory and practice, along with the shared passion for the WPI Plan and the Project-Based Curriculum, make this institution exceptional. Here, degrees are earned through project accomplishments rather than traditional coursework.I greatly enjoy balancing my roles ...

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.Prior to her time at WPI, she was the founding director of Lehigh University’s Center for Community Engagement and faculty member in Sociology and Anthropology. She previously taught at Centenary College of New Jersey and was a researcher ...

Bogdan Vernescu is Professor of mathematical sciences and the Vice President and Vice Provost for Research and Innovation.His research is in applied mathematics for multiscale materials sciences, focusing on the characterization of material properties of composites, porous media, suspensions, emulsions and electrorheological/magnetorheological materials. He has published over 60 research papers, a monograph and a proceedings volume. He has held visiting positions at MIT, in France at the University of Metz, University of Nancy, University of Savoie, University Jean-Monnet-Saint-Étienne, ...

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! , basic_html