UNLV Interim President Chris Heavey has appointed Lakshmi N. Reddi as the university’s next executive vice president and provost, effective June 1, 2026. Reddi, an accomplished university researcher and administrator, currently serves as interim provost at New Mexico State University.
As the university’s chief academic officer, Reddi will oversee academic priorities, policies, and budget. He’ll also collaborate with academic leaders throughout the university, and with community and industry, to create and advance initiatives that support and inspire students, faculty, and staff.
Reddi has more than 25 years of leadership experience within large urban R1 and land-grant R1 universities. His tenure has included faculty and leadership positions at Florida International University (FIU), the University of Central Florida, Kansas State University, and most recently at New Mexico State University, where he served as interim provost for the past two years following eight years as the dean of the university’s college of engineering.
“Dr. Reddi has an extensive and impressive background as a university faculty member and administrator, and his experience and perspective on the role and impact of public universities will help drive continued growth of UNLV’s academic and research missions,” said Heavey.
Throughout his administrative tenure, Reddi has led strategic planning efforts, advanced student success initiatives, strengthened community and industry partnerships, and supported significant growth in research and innovation. Prior to his time at New Mexico State, Reddi was dean of the graduate school at FIU and he’s spent time as a chair, department head, center director, and professor.
“I am excited about this opportunity to serve UNLV as its next executive vice president and provost,” said Reddi. “The landscape of higher education is complex, and I am inspired by UNLV’s exceptional faculty and staff and their steadfast commitment to delivering access and excellence to a growing number of students. I look forward to contributing to UNLV’s continued rise as a top national public research university.”
Beyond Reddi’s broad academic portfolio, he’s also a highly accomplished researcher. Reddi has secured more than $25 million in grant funding and has published more than 120 technical articles spanning interdisciplinary themes in engineering. He has been elected as a fellow of both the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
“Through his research and teaching, Dr. Reddi has demonstrated the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration – promoting synergy between STEM and non-STEM disciplines, university and industry partners, and always with an eye toward developing curricular and workforce opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students,” said Heavey.
