I am pleased to share that Trevor Brown will be appointed to a third term as dean of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, effective July 1, 2025, pending approval of the full Board of Trustees. Dean Brown has led the college since its inception in 2015 and has served on the faculty since 2001.
Trevor is a highly respected scholar whose research focuses on public management and organizational theory, contracting and contract management, and strategic management and performance measurement. He is a collaborative leader who works with other colleges and units to advance Ohio State’s land-grant mission and enhance its reputation across Ohio and the nation. In that spirit, he also has been serving as interim dean of the Max M. Fisher College of Business while the search for Fisher’s next leader continues. He previously served as senior advisor to the provost and executive dean of the professional colleges.
Under Trevor’s leadership, the Glenn College faculty has grown and increased its impact, propelling a rise to 16th in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings. The college is also No. 8 among U.S. institutions in the 2024 ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
Over the last five years, the college has expanded its undergraduate offerings with new General Education courses and minors, and enhanced opportunities for graduate students with the introduction of an online Master of Public Administration and Leadership, and a Washington, D.C.-specific pathway for Master of Public Administration students. The college also increased its professional offerings, including the introduction of a leadership certificate for veterans transitioning to civilian careers, a leadership program tailored to state and local elected officials, and a version of the college’s Certificate in Public and Nonprofit Leadership designed specifically for Ohio State leaders and launched in partnership with Human Resources.
More recently, Trevor has assisted in the launch of the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society, and he has served as an advisor for key university initiatives, including Listen. Learn. Discuss. Trevor has also performed leadership roles in the field of public affairs, most recently in 2022-2023 as president of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration, the field’s accrediting body. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.
Thank you to our colleagues in the Glenn College who provided thoughtful insights as part of the reappointment review process — and thank you to Karla Zadnik, who oversaw this review from beginning to end while she was serving as our interim provost.
I’m grateful to Dean Trevor Brown for his dedication to Ohio State and the faculty, staff and students of the Glenn College. I look forward to supporting the continued positive momentum under his thoughtful leadership.
Sincerely,
Ravi V. Bellamkonda
Executive Vice President and Provost