Ohio State appoints Ryan Schmiesing as senior vice provost for external engagement

The Ohio State University has selected Ryan Schmiesing as senior vice provost for external engagement.

As senior vice provost, Schmiesing leads Ohio State’s external engagement strategy that connects the university’s expertise, scholarship and service to local, statewide, national and international communities. He also provides leadership of regional campus strategy and operations in partnership with campus deans and directors.

Since 2019, Schmiesing has served as Ohio State’s vice provost for outreach and engagement.

“In leading our Office of Outreach and Engagement and a portfolio of regional and statewide external engagement initiatives, Ryan has deepened partnerships and enhanced impact across the university and in our communities,” said Ohio State Executive Vice President and Provost Melissa Gilliam. “He created several funding and recognition programs, including an internal grant program focused on assessing community-university programs and partnerships and the OSU Engages awards program.”

Schmiesing established a university-wide community of practice for faculty engaged in community-based research. He coordinates the Ohio State Energy Partnership internal grants program, which has awarded more than $2.4 million to faculty, staff and students. He also led the first external review of the regional campuses.

Prior to leading outreach and engagement, Schmiesing served first as associate vice provost and then as vice provost for strategic planning and implementation. In these roles, he supported the development of the Time and Change strategic plan and built an aligned review process for college and program strategic plans. He is on the faculty of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and served in progressive administrative positions.

For 12 years, Schmiesing was an educator and administrator for Ohio 4-H Youth Development in The Ohio State University Extension, which connects the university’s knowledge and resources across Ohio. Among his accomplishments with 4-H, he facilitated the project planning for the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center.

In coordinating engagement and impact, Schmiesing works closely with Gil Latz, vice provost for global strategies and international affairs, and will work closely with the incoming vice provost for urban research and community engagement and the vice provost for the arts, Gilliam said.

“We congratulate Ryan as he steps into this expanded leadership position,” Gilliam said.

His appointment was effective Aug. 15.