Provost Jennifer Drake is pleased to announce that Dr. Ryan Otter has been appointed to serve as Interim Vice Provost for Research and Innovation, effective July 1, 2025, for the next two years.

Ryan currently serves as a Full Professor in the Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute and teaches in the Department of Chemistry. He brings a wealth of experience to this role, with a distinguished record as a teacher, researcher, and administrator. His leadership as Director of the Data Science Institute 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. 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, Ryan will provide strategic leadership for the Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence (CSCE) and will play a central role in finalizing and implementing our Strategic Plan to Augment Research and Creative Activity (SPARCA). His background in environmental toxicology and data science, combined with his commitment to innovation and his collaborative approach, make him a strong partner for faculty, staff and administrators across the university.



Page last modified June 11, 2025