Professor Ray Vito will become Georgia Tech's first vice provost of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies.

Saying it is the best way he can contribute to Georgia Tech, School of Mechanical Engineering Professor Ray Vito has accepted the offer to become the Institute's first vice provost of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies.

In the newly reorganized provost's office, Vito will oversee curriculum development, educational technology and experiential learning initiatives such as the Honors Program and cooperative education.

Vito has served both as associate chair for undergraduate programs in the School of Mechanical Engineering and associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Engineering.

Vito said he views the role as a facilitator, offering resources where necessary and helping to smooth the road toward systemic improvements.

"I've seen it many times and believe it in my heart: If you empower the faculty, good things will happen. In this position, that's the graduate and undergraduate coordinators. They are the people who make the academic programs at Georgia Tech work."

Citing the provost's task force that is reviewing Tech's undergraduate curriculum, Vito said some assessment was already under way. But he also drew upon the College of Engineering's strategic plan, promoting the exploration of "a new, innovative, rigorous and flexible bachelor's degree program that will serve as a foundation for advanced study."

He also hopes to advance a "culture of self-education," where professors engage students in the excitement of learning and motivate their desire to have a positive impact on society.

"We must encourage the kind of broad thinking that comes along with an integrated learning experience," he said. "I think this will encourage retention as well as additional study in the field."

He emphasized his open-door policy regarding student concerns as well as his desire to solicit their opinions.

"Student input is very important. I think we can learn a lot from them — we probably need to do more of it — and I would like to get them involved in some of the decisions that affect them."

Ultimately, Vito, whose research career has produced several patents and a commercial company, said he is intrigued by the opportunity to help define this new position.

"I have an active research program and I don't intend to give that up, but I think at this point in my career it is the best way I can contribute to Georgia Tech," he said.