Indiana University Bloomington—Indian American scholar Rahul Shrivastav has been elevated from provost of IU Bloomington to a university-wide role as interim vice president for student success. The distinguished professor in speech and hearing sciences, who is a Mysore University graduate, will now lead efforts to strengthen student success initiatives across the entire Indiana University system.
With this appointment, John Ciorciari, dean of the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, steps into the interim provost role at IU Bloomington.
Key Facts
• Shrivastav succeeds Brenda Stopher, who stepped away after four years for personal reasons
• Under Shrivastav's provost leadership since 2022, IU Bloomington saw record undergraduate applications increase by over 40%, created 25 new academic programs, and recruited dozens of faculty in high-impact disciplines
• As interim VP for student success, he will focus on aligning academic policies, institutional systems, and campus practices to improve retention, graduation outcomes, and overall student experience across the IU system
Shrivastav's move represents a significant expansion of his responsibilities beyond the Bloomington campus. His new role places him back in President Pamela Whitten's cabinet, overseeing student success strategy, enrollment services, strategic initiatives, accreditation policies and institutional analytics.
This appointment comes as Indiana University strengthens its commitment to student-centered leadership across all campuses.
During his tenure as provost, Shrivastav guided major investments in interdisciplinary education and research innovation. He directed efforts to modernize teaching and research facilities, establish interdisciplinary research groups, and expand experiential learning opportunities.
His leadership also sparked innovative partnerships with industry leaders.
Before returning to Indiana University in 2022 as provost, Shrivastav served as vice president for instruction at the University of Georgia. There, he oversaw undergraduate education and instructional innovation while advancing critical initiatives to improve student retention and graduation rates.
He also held significant leadership positions at Michigan State University and the University of Florida.
As a scholar in speech and hearing sciences, Shrivastav has authored more than 200 publications and presentations. He has secured more than $15 million in research funding from federal agencies including the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The National Academy of Inventors elected him as a fellow in 2020.
Shrivastav earned his doctorate in speech and hearing sciences from Indiana University Bloomington, where he has strong alumni connections. He completed his undergraduate and master's education at the University of Mysore in India, bringing a global perspective to American higher education leadership.
Shrivastav said.
President Pamela Whitten praised the appointments, stating that
The university will conduct a formal search for a permanent provost. Shrivastav's interim appointment signals IU's determination to prioritize student success across its entire system while maintaining strong academic leadership at the Bloomington flagship campus.
Do You Know?
Shrivastav co-founded a startup company based on software he co-invented that optimizes the performance of digital hearing devices. The company secured millions in funding from angel investors and grants, hired employees, and filed multiple patent applications before the technology was licensed by one of the world's leading manufacturers of cochlear implants.
Key Terms
• Provost: The chief academic officer of a university who oversees academic operations, faculty affairs, and strategic planning
• Interim: A temporary appointment that serves until a permanent replacement is found through a formal search process
• Experiential Learning: Educational approach where students learn by doing, through internships, research, and hands-on projects
• Accreditation: Official recognition that an educational institution meets established quality standards and educational requirements
• Interdisciplinary: Combining methods and perspectives from multiple academic fields or disciplines
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