Ball State appoints Marri as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs
MUNCIE, Ind. – After a nationwide search, Geoffrey S. Mearns, president of Ball State University, has selected Dr. Anand R. Marri as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.
Marri, who in July 2020 was appointed dean of Ball State’s Teachers College, had been serving as the university’s interim provost since April 2023.
“Since arriving at Ball State more than three years ago, Dr. Marri has continued to display a commitment to student success and the critical role our faculty and staff play in those objectives — a key attribute that will serve him, and the University, well moving forward in his new position,” said Renae Conley, chair of Ball State’s Board of Trustees, in a release. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we congratulate Dr. Marri for this well-earned appointment.”
As Teachers College dean, Dr. Marri oversaw increases in enrollment and in external funding to support faculty and staff research endeavors. He also personally secured the largest single philanthropic gift in the history of Teachers College — a $1.45 million commitment from Michelle (Asby) Ryan, a 1981 Ball State graduate, and her husband, Jim, to establish the Michelle A. and James T. Ryan Family Scholarship, the Ryan Family Navigators Program, and the Ryan Fellowship for Community-Engaged Teacher Preparation.
More recently, as interim provost, Dr. Marri has helped lead Ball State’s implementation of a decentralized, incentive-based budget model, which informs faculty hiring decisions. He has also played a key role in the University’s reaccreditation process by the Higher Learning Commission.
“Dr. Marri’s extensive experience as an academic administrator, professor, and executive at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is matched by his collaborative leadership style,” Mearns said in the announcement. “I look forward to the opportunity to continue working with him to implement the shared vision, values, and goals articulated in our University’s strategic plan.”
Marri, who earned his bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College and master’s degree from Stanford University, started his career as a high school social studies and English as a second language teacher in California’s Santa Clara and San Jose school districts. In 2003, after earning his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he joined Teachers College at Columbia University. There, his research focused on economic literacy, multicultural and urban education, and teacher education. He also founded the Economic Literacy Initiative. While on Columbia University’s faculty Marri served as the highest-ranking officer for education in the Federal Reserve System from 2013-18.
“I firmly believe Ball State University is positioned to catalyze and shape the future of postsecondary education in Indiana, the region, and beyond,” Marri added. “I look forward to working together with all members of our community to support, sustain, and enhance the excellence of Ball State University.”
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Ball State appoints Marri provost, executive VP for academic affairs
