DePaul University President Robert L. Manuel is pleased to announce that Russell Ivy will serve as the university’s next provost and senior vice president. With more than three decades of experience in higher education, Ivy has built a distinguished record of advancing student success, expanding educational opportunity and strengthening academic programs.
Ivy will begin his role at DePaul July 1, 2026.
“At a time of rapid change in higher education, DePaul must continue to strengthen academic excellence while expanding opportunity for our students,” said Robert L. Manuel, president of DePaul. “Russ brings decades of experience as a successful academic leader, along with a deep commitment to student success and the collaborative spirit needed to continue advancing our academic mission while supporting the work of our faculty.”
Ivy comes to DePaul from Florida Atlantic University, where he currently serves as vice provost for academic affairs, a role he has held since 2015. He recently served as FAU’s interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, where he led key academic policy initiatives and advanced efforts to strengthen student learning outcomes. During his tenure, FAU closed its achievement gap and gained recognition for improving degree completion, social mobility and affordability.
“I’m excited to become part of the DePaul community, where students engage in rigorous academics guided by talented and dedicated faculty preparing them for real-world challenges,” Ivy said. “In a time of rapid economic and technological change, I am committed to supporting both students and faculty as they work together to build the skills, adaptability and confidence they need to succeed. It’s an honor to join a university so deeply invested in its academic mission and in the futures of its students.”
A professor of geosciences, Ivy’s research focuses on urban revitalization, transportation network analysis and the economic and socio-cultural impacts of tourism, as well as regional development and planning. His work reflects a longstanding commitment to understanding how communities grow and adapt.
National recognition for academic leadership
Ivy has overseen several major academic and student support units, including the Center for Online and Continuing Education, Undergraduate Admissions, Financial Aid and the Registrar’s Office.
He also played a pivotal role in the creation and growth of FAU’s Center for Global Engagement. Under his leadership, the university expanded international student services, study abroad programs, intensive English instruction and immigration support, significantly strengthening the university’s global footprint.
In 2025, Ivy received the Michael P. Malone International Leadership Award from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, a national honor recognizing lifetime achievement and leadership in international education.
Ivy has also demonstrated a strong commitment to recruiting and retaining diverse faculty. He earned a National Science Foundation ADVANCE IT Catalyst grant to support efforts to recruit and retain women and underrepresented minority faculty, particularly in STEM fields.
Ivy earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees in geography from the University of Missouri and his Ph.D. in geography from the University of Florida. He joined FAU’s faculty in 1992 and has served in numerous academic leadership roles, including five years as associate chair, nine years as chair of geosciences and two years as interim dean of the university’s College of Science.
Ivy will succeed Salma Ghanem, who is stepping down at the end of the academic year. Ghanem has served as DePaul’s provost since May 2021, after serving as interim provost beginning in July 2019 and acting provost starting in October 2018.
“Salma has demonstrated exceptional dedication to DePaul’s Catholic, Vincentian mission, leading with both heart and purpose,” Manuel said. “Her steady guidance during a period of significant change has strengthened DePaul’s academic foundation, and I remain deeply grateful for her leadership and partnership as we prepare for the transition ahead.”
###
newsroom@depaul.edu
University Communications