Dear Colleagues,
My name is Karla Zadnik, and I am delighted to begin the new year in service to this great university as interim executive vice president and provost.
As we begin 2024 and the spring semester, I am pleased to welcome Ohio State’s 17th president, Walter “Ted” Carter Jr., and his wife, Lynda Carter, to our university and the central Ohio community. I appreciate the trust that President Carter and the Ohio State Board of Trustees have placed in me as I begin this next chapter in my 28-year career at the university.
Most recently, I have had the privilege of serving as dean of the College of Optometry. As an optometrist and patient-oriented researcher, leading the college has been a wonderful experience. I am deeply grateful for the faculty, staff, and students who make the college remarkable. I especially want to thank Jeff Walline for stepping into the role of acting dean of the college. I know that the students, staff, and faculty will support Jeff during this period.
I also appreciate the students, staff, and faculty of the College of Public Health for their ongoing dedication to the health of our communities. I am pleased to be able to continue to serve as the college’s interim dean. I also want to acknowledge the dedication of the deans, chairs and directors, and faculty of Ohio State for their commitment to advancing our academic excellence. Lastly, I would be remiss if did not share my deep appreciation for the warm welcome I received from the Office of Academic Affairs staff. Across the university, the continued dedication of staff to our academic mission is inspiring.
You can expect to hear from me monthly in a short email, Interim Provost’s Calling, which is based on a tradition I began at the College of Optometry and have continued throughout my interim role at the College of Public Health.
I am looking forward to working together over the coming months.
This is an exciting time to be part of The Ohio State University, and I am humbled to play a role in the remarkable, storied history of this treasured institution. Together, let’s have a healthy and productive 2024, and I wish you great success during the new semester.
Sincerely,
Karla Zadnik
Interim Executive Vice President and Provost
Glenn A. Fry Professor in Optometry and Physiological Optics