Worcester Polytechnic Institute Executive and Leadership Team

Harris Brancazio, the WPI Formula SAE Team President at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, directs the design, engineering, and project management of the university's competitive racing vehicle. Overseeing the student engineering team, the WPI Formula SAE Team President ensures that the project adheres to rigorous technical standards and project-based learning objectives. This leadership role involves coordinating with faculty advisors and industry partners to secure funding and technical expertise for the vehicle's development. By managing the end-to-end engineering lifecycle, Harris Brancazio directly impacts the team's performance in national and international competitions. Furthermore, Brancazio fosters a collaborative environment where students apply classroom knowledge to solve real-world mechanical and electrical challenges. Through these efforts, Brancazio exemplifies the university's commitment to practical, hands-on innovation and prepares the next generation of engineers for complex professional roles.

Roxanne Armbruster, the Vice President, Talent & Chief Human Resources Officer at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, directs all human capital strategies and organizational development initiatives. Overseeing the recruitment, retention, and professional growth of faculty and staff, the Vice President, Talent & Chief Human Resources Officer ensures alignment with the university's mission of project-based education. This leadership role involves architecting comprehensive talent management frameworks that support interdisciplinary research and innovation across the campus. By fostering an inclusive and high-performing workplace culture, Roxanne Armbruster directly impacts the institution's ability to attract top-tier academic talent. Furthermore, Armbruster manages complex labor relations and compensation structures to maintain operational excellence. Through these efforts, the Chief Human Resources Officer secures the human infrastructure necessary for the university to address evolving scientific and technological challenges on a global scale.

Kate Beverage, the Associate Chief Information Officer, Academic Technologies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, manages the digital tools and platforms supporting the university's unique project-based curriculum. Overseeing the integration of advanced software and classroom technology, the Associate Chief Information Officer, Academic Technologies ensures that students and faculty possess the resources required for interdisciplinary research. This leadership role involves collaborating with academic departments to modernize instructional delivery and enhance the digital learning environment. By optimizing academic software ecosystems, Kate Beverage directly impacts the effectiveness of the institution's pedagogical approach. Furthermore, Beverage drives initiatives that bridge the gap between traditional classroom learning and practical, technology-driven project work. Through these strategic efforts, Beverage maintains the technological foundation necessary for the university to remain at the forefront of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education within the competitive higher education landscape.

Vijay Menta, the Vice President & Chief Information Officer at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, directs the overarching digital strategy and information technology infrastructure for the entire university. Overseeing the security, reliability, and scalability of campus-wide networks, the Vice President & Chief Information Officer ensures that all technological systems support the institution's mission of interdisciplinary research and innovation. This leadership role involves coordinating with the Board and other executive leaders to align IT investments with long-term academic goals. By implementing robust cybersecurity protocols and modernizing data architecture, Vijay Menta directly impacts the university's operational efficiency and research capabilities. Furthermore, Menta manages large-scale digital transformation projects that enhance the institution's global engagement and collaborative partnerships. Through these strategic initiatives, Menta secures the technological backbone required for the university to address complex scientific and societal challenges effectively.

Sia Najafi, the Associate Chief Information Officer, Academic & Research Computing at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, directs the high-performance computing resources and data analytics infrastructure essential for advanced scientific inquiry. Overseeing the computational needs of faculty researchers and graduate students, the Associate Chief Information Officer, Academic & Research Computing ensures that the university maintains a competitive edge in interdisciplinary research. This leadership role involves architecting scalable storage solutions and processing power to support complex modeling and simulation projects. By optimizing research computing workflows, Sia Najafi directly impacts the speed and quality of scientific discovery across the institution. Furthermore, Najafi facilitates collaboration between academic departments and technical teams to solve intricate technological problems. Through these efforts, Najafi provides the specialized computational environment necessary for the university to lead in fields ranging from engineering to data science.

Jonathan Eck, the Associate Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Cloud Systems & Integration Services at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, directs the migration and management of cloud-based infrastructure to support administrative and academic operations. Overseeing the integration of enterprise software systems, the Associate Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Cloud Systems & Integration Services ensures seamless data flow and system interoperability across the university. This leadership role involves architecting secure, scalable cloud environments that enhance operational agility and reduce technical debt. By streamlining enterprise systems, Jonathan Eck directly impacts the efficiency of university-wide processes and resource allocation. Furthermore, Eck manages the transition to modern cloud architectures, enabling the institution to leverage data-driven insights for strategic decision-making. Through these efforts, Eck provides the robust digital framework necessary for the university to maintain its focus on innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Melissa Floyd, the Associate Chief Information Officer, User Success & Experience at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, directs the support services and user-facing technology initiatives that define the campus digital experience. Overseeing the help desk, training programs, and accessibility standards, the Associate Chief Information Officer, User Success & Experience ensures that all students, faculty, and staff can effectively utilize university technology. This leadership role involves gathering user feedback to drive continuous improvement in digital service delivery and support workflows. By prioritizing user-centric design and responsive support, Melissa Floyd directly impacts the overall satisfaction and productivity of the campus community. Furthermore, Floyd manages the implementation of new technology rollouts to ensure smooth adoption across diverse academic and administrative departments. Through these efforts, Floyd maintains a high standard of service that supports the university's mission of fostering a collaborative and innovative learning environment.