WKU News

WKU has named Ranjit Koodali as the new Associate Provost for Research and Graduate Education, effective July 1, 2020.

Dr. Koodali is a tenured Professor of Chemistry and has been with the University of South Dakota since 2001 serving in various roles including Graduate Dean and Co-Director for the USD N3 (Neuroscience, Nanotechnology & Networks) Program, a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded Research Traineeship (NRT) grant that provides structured and highly individualized pathways for graduate students for academic and non-academic careers.

As the Graduate Dean, Dr. Koodali provided administrative leadership and assessment of more than 70 graduate programs. He currently serves on the GRE Board and as an associate editor for RSC Advance. He has also served as an editorial board member for the Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences and as an associate editor for Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology. Dr. Koodali has published more than 125 peer reviewed manuscripts and has received support for his research from DOE, NASA and NSF. 

“I’m excited that Dr. Koodali will be joining us this summer,” Provost Cheryl Stevens said. “His extensive experience in developing research and graduate programs will serve us well!  In addition, he brings with him an enthusiasm for collaboration and diversity that perfectly supports our strategic priorities.”

Dr. Koodali plans to build upon the tradition of excellence and collaboration at WKU and foster growth in graduate education and research.  

“I am excited and humbled by the prospect to provide leadership towards graduate education and research at Western Kentucky University,” Dr. Koodali said. “The vision and leadership of Dr. Timothy C. Caboni and Provost Cheryl Stevens, the emphasis on student success, diversity, equity and inclusion in the WKU Strategic Plan, the University setting and collegiality made a deep impression.”  

Dr. Koodali also served as a Research Associate at Kansas State University and a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Houston and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai, India. 

Contact: Academic Affairs, (270) 745-2296