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Meet CWRU's New Provost

Joy Ward is strategic, empathetic and determined to prepare students for the world's challenges

As an internationally recognized plant biologist, Joy K. Ward, PhD, studies how plants adapt to climate change over both geologic and contemporary time scales. Her research ranges from understanding the details of gene function to studying the complexity of ecosystems—all of which contributed to her receiving an award for her scientific accomplishments from the White House and becoming a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She also mentored more than 50 undergraduate and graduate students and post-doctoral fellows during her career.

Now, she has brought those skills and more to her new post as provost and executive vice president of Case Western Reserve. As the university's No. 2 leader, Ward is the chief academic officer, works closely with President Eric W. Kaler and has taken a lead role on major CWRU initiatives. Ward arrived on campus in 2020 as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences just months into the pandemic and, undaunted, launched a highly successful initiative to raise funds for faculty and students to tackle critical research projects that impact society. She later secured a major investment for a new campus institute for mental health and well-being.

Bold, strategic actions are emblematic of who she is.

Ward became provost in January, after spending six months in the position on an interim basis as the university conducted a national search.

Think recently sat down with Ward for an interview.

Describe your leadership style.

I am fully committed to this institution, and I grew to love Case Western Reserve very quickly upon my arrival. I believe in the commitment and the dedication of all those on campus. I give my heart to this place, and I have asked others to be a strong ambassador for our university along with me.

What are your priorities?

Our Amazing Students
The first is certainly the student experience. We want our students to leave Case Western Reserve with the ability to be nimble, fulfilled and prepared to face a rapidly changing world. We want them to be able to express their viewpoints and to be effective at adapting to new careers. We are also preparing them more holistically for the rest of their lives and therefore we want them to try new things and take on new challenges; we most want our students to be lifelong learners and to take advantage of all that life has to offer.

Discuss the need for 100 new faculty.

We have a new strategic initiative to grow our faculty by 15% over the next five years. This increase in top-tier researchers and scholars will serve our larger student body, who are more diverse and accomplished than ever in our history. This increase in faculty will also increase our research, scholarship and creative works, and will continue to build the intellectual vibrancy of our campus. Among the disciplines that will be represented are health and well-being, artificial intelligence, neuroscience, environmental sustainability, new therapeutics and many other areas that are critical for improving the human condition.

What is your role in the new $300 million Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building?

As the chief officer of academics, I'm identifying the most critical disciplines that would benefit from this space. I'm trying to put the best blend of faculty together to be more than the sum of their parts, and to drive the most impactful innovations of our time. I am also thinking about our academic programs and how this space can enhance the transfer of information from faculty to students as they work side-by-side in this outstanding research space. This building will collectively enable us to have a bigger impact in our research, will grow our reputation, and will most importantly help solve some of the biggest challenges in our society.

Tell us more about how you and your husband, Robert Ward, a faculty member in biology, came to CWRU.

Rob and I have had the great fortune of being able to have dual careers in science. We were able to attend graduate school together, find postdocs in the same city, get hired as tenure-track faculty at [the University of] Kansas and then were able to come here together. Rob is a developmental biologist and has made impactful findings using the fruit fly as a model system in genetics and cell biology. He is also a masterful teacher and mentor and leads our SEA-PHAGES curriculum from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which allows students to do authentic and novel research as first-year biology students. I am so grateful for his role as both an academic and an effective ambassador for the university.