As part of our academic excellence strategy, we have been working to envision what a signature Ohio State student experience should be. In conversations with students, faculty, staff, employers and partners, several themes consistently emerge: We want Ohio State students to think boldly, have rigorous and impactful experiences, develop entrepreneurial confidence, and have the tools to scale their creativity.
To harness these aspirations, we have a goal for Ohio State to be the premier hub for student-led innovation and entrepreneurship. We are fortunate to have many tremendous assets in place, and I am pleased to share that we are making enhancements to our structures to better serve our students, align resources and accelerate impact.
Shereen Agrawal, executive director of the Center for Software Innovation, will step into an expanded role as associate vice president for student innovation and entrepreneurship. In this position, Shereen will work in collaboration with deans and faculty to help us unify and amplify our student-facing academic efforts at the intersection of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. She will continue to lead the Center for Software Innovation, which expands opportunities for students in entrepreneurship and advances education in software innovation, product management, sales and marketing. The center, created in 2023 through a historic gift from the Timashev Family Foundation, is also building capacity for enterprise-wide initiatives, including AI Fluency.
Additionally, we will bring the Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship into the Office of Academic Affairs allowing us to elevate its offerings in a more comprehensive way for our students. The Tim and Kathleen Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship was established in 2018 through a transformative commitment from the Keenan Family Foundation. The center works to grow and foster a culture of entrepreneurship for Ohio State students by providing educational and experiential learning activities and building connections and community. The Keenan Center is led by Senior Director Cheryl Turnbull, who will now report to Shereen.
With these changes, the Center for Software Innovation and the Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship will become more closely aligned to create a cohesive and comprehensive ecosystem that supports student-led ventures — from ideation to launch. Additionally, these teams with other resources across campus while integrating faculty expertise into relevant programs, fostering an integrated relationship between academic curricula and hands-on, real-world experiences.
With Ohio State’s resources, breadth of faculty expertise and talented, entrepreneurial-minded students, I am excited about the opportunities for bold ideas and entrepreneurship that lie ahead as we enhance our culture of student innovation. This is truly an exciting time for the student academic experience at Ohio State, and I thank you for your partnership in these efforts.
Ravi V. Bellamkonda
Executive Vice President and Provost