Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
At Penn State, we are shaping the future.
As Pennsylvania’s only land-grant university, we pride ourselves on providing a transformational education that propels our students to thrive in the classroom as well as throughout their careers and lives. Through groundbreaking research, scholarship, and creative activity, we drive discoveries that positively impact our communities locally and globally. To accomplish these, we foster an environment of inclusive excellence where all Penn Staters can fully realize their potential.
Dr. Fotis Sotiropoulos
Executive Vice President and Provost
Dr. Fotis Sotiropoulos is the Executive Vice President and Provost of The Pennsylvania State University. Reporting directly to President Neeli Bendapudi, Dr. Sotiropoulos serves as Penn State’s chief academic officer, overseeing all of the academic units across colleges, schools, and the University’s twenty-four campuses and online Penn State World Campus, as well as the major academic support units.
Dr. Sotiropoulos leads the advancement of Penn State’s academic mission. Working closely with deans, chancellors, faculty, staff, and students across Penn State, Dr. Sotiropoulos helps to set and accomplish academic priorities, champions collaboration and innovation, and strives to create a teaching, learning, research, and work environment emblematic of inclusive excellence. Under his leadership, the Provost’s office works to exemplify its commitment to discovery, excellence, access, equity, and the land-grant mission that shapes the University’s enduring impact on the Commonwealth and beyond.
Read the Provost’s message to the Penn State community: Homecoming and shared commitment to Penn State’s future
Josh Davis
Senior Vice Provost and Chief of Staff
Josh Davis joined Penn State on January 5, 2026, working in the new role of senior vice provost and chief of staff to Executive Vice President and Provost, Fotis Sotiropoulos.
In this role, Davis provides high-level strategic leadership across academic and administrative units at the University. He supports Sotiropoulos in advancing institutional priorities through cross-campus collaboration, strategic financial planning, and operational effectiveness. Davis leads key initiatives, facilitates and supports decision making, and ensures alignment with Penn State’s priorities by coordinating senior staff, managing special projects, and fostering innovation.
Read more about Davis and the role of senior vice provost and chief of staff.