Binghamton University appoints new vice provost

Govindaraju will replace Krishnaswami “Hari” Srihari, who has held the position as executive vice provost since it was established in June 2015.

Sirhari is retiring from his role as vice provost as well as the dean of the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science, John Brhel, communications manager at Binghamton University, tells CNYBJ in an email. Srihari will remain on the faculty as a distinguished professor and researcher.

“Madhu has enjoyed success as a teacher, scholar, graduate director and leader within his department,” Nieman noted. “He has enjoyed great success in international recruitment efforts, is deeply committed to students, embraces cultural diversity and believes in the imperative of internationalizing our campus. I know that faculty, deans and staff in international education and global affairs will enjoy working with him.”

In his new role, Govindaraju will oversee international recruitment efforts as well as provide guidance and oversight to the International Student and Scholar Services Office (ISSS), education abroad and student exchange initiatives.

“It’s an honor and a responsibility,” said Govindaraju. “I am deeply appreciative of the work that Watson [School] and other campus leaders have already put in to build the reputation and global impact of Binghamton University. I hope to continue the work to enhance the University’s global footprint.”

Govindaraju will work with colleagues in ISSS, the Office of International Education and Global Initiatives (IEGI) and the Office of Graduate Recruitment (OGR) moving forward.

“The next six months, I plan to meet and learn from them,” Govindaraju said. “They already do excellent work. I want to understand their challenges and work together to develop practical, long-term solutions.”

For Srihari, the “most gratifying” part of working on international initiatives has been working with students, faculty and staff to advance Binghamton University’s academic objectives — not just through recruitment of students but also through our faculty who are now comfortable teaching in places like China, through education abroad programs and our research centers, and through our many international collaborations.

He sees Govindaraju’s new role as a “strategic one, just as it has been for him,” per the news release.

“First, we must provide strategy and direction for the campus for our international initiatives that are in line with the overall academic goals for the campus,” Srihari said. “Second, how do we bring more of an international flavor to our campus? With 115 countries represented here, we are very diverse from an international perspective, which is wonderful. It improves the academic discourse on our campus.”

Srihari continued, adding, “What we’re looking at is how do we improve our campus footprint in different geographies to meet and surpass our goals by bringing in students from Europe, India, Mexico, South America — from all over the globe? How do we work toward Binghamton’s goals from an internationalization perspective?”

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com