Julie Ross
Julia Ross, Dean of the College of Engineering.
620 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
United States
- *Undergraduate students with concerns or who have been directed to their Dean should contact the Academic Dean’s office located in 212 Hancock Hall: coeacademicdean@vt.edu (540) 231-3244
Julie Ross is the Paul and Dorothea Torgersen Dean of Engineering. She has gained widespread recognition not only for growing the reach and impact of the College of Engineering’s programs and research, but also for championing a bold vision for the future of the college and university.
Ross has been instrumental as a spokesperson in elevating Virginia Tech’s footprint and expansion in Blacksburg, Roanoke, and the Washington, D.C., metro area. In addition to her role as dean, she serves as special advisor to President Tim Sands and leads the effort to chart the vision and plan for Virginia Tech’s presence in the region.
Ross was honored by her alma mater, Purdue University, with a 2022 Distinguished Alumna Award and was highlighted by the Society for Women Engineers Magazine in their “Women Engineering Leaders in Academe 2020” feature. In addition, she was named Outstanding Woman Leader in Virginia Higher Education at the American Council on Education 2022 Virginia Network Annual State Conference.
She currently serves on the NSF Advisory Committee for the Directorate for Engineering; was on the NASA Advisory Council STEM Engagement Committee from 2023-24; and served on the Global Engineering Dean’s Council from 2016-2022.
Ross is an elected fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering. Ross has also received the American Council on Education fellowship, the nation's premier higher-education leadership development program preparing senior leaders to serve American colleges and universities.
An Indiana native, she holds a bachelor's degree from Purdue University and a doctoral degree from Rice University, both in chemical engineering. She holds faculty appointments in the Departments of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Education.
Background
Ross came to Virginia Tech from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where she was the Constellation Professor of Information Technology and Engineering and dean of the college. Ross served in various roles at UMBC, including chair of chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering, and supported inter-institutional research initiatives as a special assistant to the provost.
Research
Ross' research focuses on the role of fluid mechanics in infection formation in the cardiovascular system. During her career, Ross has received $14.14 million in external funding with $11.17 million as PI.