GVSU appoints Ryan Otter as interim vice provost for Research and Innovation

GVSU Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jennifer Drake has appointed faculty member Ryan Otter as the interim vice provost for Research and Innovation, effective July 1. 

Otter, a professor at the Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute, succeeds Robert Smart, who will step down on June 30 and move to a faculty role in the chemistry department. 

Otter joined GVSU in 2023 from Middle Tennessee State University, where among his teaching and research duties, he served as director of the university’s Data Science Institute. 

“Dr. Otter’s leadership at Middle Tennessee State University, his robust scholarly record and his commitment to student, staff and faculty success have prepared him well to lead at this pivotal time,” Drake said. “Since joining Grand Valley in 2023, he has already demonstrated an ability to connect interdisciplinary teams and support innovative scholarship that includes student researchers.”

As interim vice provost, Otter will provide strategic leadership for the Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence and will play a central role in finalizing and implementing the Strategic Plan to Augment Research and Creative Activity. 

With a background in environmental toxicology and data science, Otter brings a strong record of innovation and collaboration to the role.

“I’m excited to help develop and lead the future of research and innovation at GVSU and support the wide variety of opportunities it brings to students, faculty and staff,” Otter said.

“GVSU is really unique given its size, focus on undergraduate education and its ranking as the top university in the nation at retaining graduates in state. This combination clearly demonstrates GVSU’s commitment to its community on and off campus, and I’m eager to help create the next wave of opportunities.”