President's Core Leadership Team
Meet the President’s core leadership team, guiding Embry-Riddle’s strategic direction and advancing its mission across all campuses.
Dr. Kelly Austin, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
As Embry-Riddle’s Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Dr. Austin’s responsibilities encompass critical areas affecting academic matters and student success for the more than 30,000 students at the world’s leading higher education institution focused on aviation, aerospace and research.
Throughout his tenure at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Austin has led significant academic initiatives aimed at promoting faculty and academic excellence, while also improving the overall student experience. He has led educational innovation, supported the expansion of the research enterprise, and strengthened industry partnerships, helping elevate the university’s position as a leader in the aviation and aerospace community. His focus on curriculum updates, faculty development, and interdisciplinary collaboration has strengthened teaching and scholarship. Austin’s commitment to student success has resulted in measurable improvements in retention and graduation rates and reinforce the institution’s global reputation.
Dr. Austin has previously held the position of Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses and Executive Chancellor at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park. In that role, he oversaw the teaching, research, and service activities, and managed the budget for Penn State’s 20 Commonwealth Campuses, which educated approximately 27,000 students across all academic programs. He also served as Chancellor at Penn State Schuylkill. Before his tenure at Penn State, Dr. Austin was Vice President for Finance and Administration at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
Dr. Austin holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Business Administration in Aviation (Airline Management) from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
As Embry-Riddle’s Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Dr. Austin’s responsibilities encompass critical areas affecting academic matters and student success for the more than 30,000 students at the world’s leading higher education institution focused on aviation, aerospace and research.
Throughout his tenure at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Austin has led significant academic initiatives aimed at promoting faculty and academic excellence, while also improving the overall student experience. He has led educational innovation, supported the expansion of the research enterprise, and strengthened industry partnerships, helping elevate the university’s position as a leader in the aviation and aerospace community. His focus on curriculum updates, faculty development, and interdisciplinary collaboration has strengthened teaching and scholarship. Austin’s commitment to student success has resulted in measurable improvements in retention and graduation rates and reinforce the institution’s global reputation.
Dr. Austin has previously held the position of Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses and Executive Chancellor at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park. In that role, he oversaw the teaching, research, and service activities, and managed the budget for Penn State’s 20 Commonwealth Campuses, which educated approximately 27,000 students across all academic programs. He also served as Chancellor at Penn State Schuylkill. Before his tenure at Penn State, Dr. Austin was Vice President for Finance and Administration at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
Dr. Austin holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Business Administration in Aviation (Airline Management) from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Sarah Barczyk is the vice president for Communications at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. A longtime leader in strategic communications and public relations, Barczyk joined Embry-Riddle in May 2024 after running Four Score Strategies, a communications consulting firm, where she focused on strategic planning, executive and crisis communications, and change management. Previously, she worked in the energy industry, leading communications and public relations for Westinghouse Electric Company, Columbia Pipeline Group and Columbia Gas. She holds a master’s degree in writing from Seton Hill University and is the author of several books, including “The Valley Is Burning: When Communications Becomes the Crisis,” which chronicles her experience managing crisis communications efforts following a major natural gas pipeline explosion in 2018. She has also taught public relations and communications as an adjunct professor at the Florida Institute of Technology.
Rodney Cruise is Embry-Riddle's senior vice president and chief operating officer. Since joining the university in March 2013, he has provided leadership and direction for the Information Technology, Human Resources, Institutional Efficiency, Corporate Relations, News and Media, Campus Safety, Facilities and Capital Planning teams, supporting more than $800 million in construction projects across all three campuses. In addition to operational responsibilities, Cruise supports the strategic development of Embry‑Riddle’s Research Park, working to attract companies in all stages of development to Florida and the immediate Volusia County community. He leads all government relations initiatives, working closely with state and national leaders in support of Embry‑Riddle’s mission to expand research, increase entrepreneurship and create high-paying jobs. Outside of Embry-Riddle, Cruise serves as a vice chair for the Board of Space Florida, the vice chair of Starter Studio and chair of Daytona State College’s Facilities and Capital Planning Committee. He is a member of the Executive Board of Directors of the Daytona Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Daytona Beach Rotary Club. Previously, he was also a member of Michael Waltz’s Transportation Advisory Committee. Before joining Embry‑Riddle, Cruise served as vice president of business development for Sodexo. His tenure at Sodexo included service on national and international teams focused on complex efficiency challenges, as well as IT projects.
Kelly Dowling is Embry-Riddle’s senior vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement. In her 20-plus-year career, she has developed a sterling reputation as a philanthropic strategist with a track record of exceeding fundraising goals by infusing best practices into processes, services and ideas. Her expertise includes reengineering comprehensive fundraising programs, complex principal gifts, faculty research support, alumni relations, staff development and organizational optimization. Before joining Embry-Riddle, Dowling served at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook, a tier-one public research institution, where she held the title of assistant vice president for advancement and assistant dean for the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Prior to joining SUNY Stony Brook, she worked for the University of Central Florida Foundation in various positions, including senior director of development for the College of Business, for more than nine years. She holds an MBA from the University of Central Florida and a bachelor’s degree in Humanities from Stetson University. A prolific speaker, Dowling often speaks on issues related to philanthropy, institutional leadership and the role and experience of women in university advancement.
Dr. Jeremy Ernst is vice president for Research and Doctoral Programs and a professor of Technology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He has held prior academic and administrative appointments at Embry-Riddle’s Worldwide Campus, Virginia Tech and North Carolina State University. Ernst has a wealth of expertise in research leadership and administration, and he has supported extensive growth at Embry-Riddle and in his prior university roles. He is an accomplished educator and scholar with more than 150 publications and $37 million in total federal, state and corporate-sponsored research funding involvement. His research focuses on students identified as at-risk for dropout or non-matriculation in STEM majors. His efforts center on providing evidence-based models that promote engagement, the development of cognitive competency sets and the performance-based application abilities of students at-risk. Ernst holds doctoral and master’s degrees in Technology Education from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Technology and Human Resource Development from Clemson University.
Dr. Randy Howard is Embry‑Riddle’s executive vice president and chief financial officer. Howard joined the university in September 2014 and is responsible for its financial operations, including financial management, treasury, financial analysis and reporting, enterprise risk management, and capital planning. Prior to joining Embry-Riddle, Howard was the vice president for business affairs and treasurer at Ball State University. He spent 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, where he held a variety of positions, including chief financial officer of the U.S. Air Force Academy, assistant professor of Finance and Business Administration at the Naval Postgraduate School and senior financial economist for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Cost and Economics. Howard holds a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Georgia, an M.S. in Operations Research from the Air Force Institute of Technology and a B.S. in Chemistry and Mathematics from Birmingham-Southern College. He currently serves as chair of the Board of Trustees for Daytona State College.
Dr. Jason Ruckert is the senior vice president for enrollment management, marketing and student affairs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He joined Embry-Riddle in 2005 and previously served as vice chancellor and chief digital learning officer for the university’s Worldwide Campus. In that role, he provided leadership of overall strategy, development, delivery and quality control of online degree programs, and contributed to learning modalities employed by all colleges and campuses. Ruckert earned his Ph.D. in Leadership and Education from Barry University, with a specialization in Higher Education Administration. He is a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, as well as the RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce). He chairs the steering committee and is an executive council member of WCET, an organization dedicated to the practice, policy and advocacy of technology-enhanced learning in higher education. Ruckert is also an advisory board member for the UPCEA National Council for Online Education – chair of Quality Standards, the USDLA (United States Distance Learning Association) and the Technology Executive Council, CNBC.
Charlie Sevastos is Embry-Riddle’s vice president and general counsel. He joined Embry-Riddle as an associate general counsel in 2007 and was appointed general counsel in 2011. In this role, he is responsible for all legal matters affecting the university. Sevastos started his legal career as a trial attorney in both criminal and civil litigation. He was awarded Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law by The Florida Bar during his time as a litigator. Sevastos has also served in the United States Army as part of an Infantry brigade in the Panama Canal Zone. The brigade performed a variety of missions, including physical security of the Panama Canal, long-term field deployments, and training visiting military units in counter-guerrilla operations for the Jungle Operations Training Center at Ft. Sherman, Panama. From Panama, he returned to the U.S. for flight training and graduated as a Warrant Officer with two advanced aircraft qualifications. He was then assigned to a Combat Aviation Battalion as a flight officer. Sevastos holds a B.A. with honors from Rollins College, as well as a J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law. He is admitted to the Bar as an attorney in Florida, Maine, the District of Columbia and the federal courts of the U.S. Middle District of Florida. He is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil and County Court Mediator, is qualified as a Florida Court-Appointed Arbitrator and volunteers as a mediator in small claims court in Volusia County.
Dr. John R. Watret is the Chancellor for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide. He provides leadership and strategic direction that fosters growth, maintains academic integrity and promotes efficient operations for the Worldwide Headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida and the more than 100 site locations worldwide.
Dr. Watret has managed the growth and expansion of online education for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. His commitment and dedication to leading the campus to provide accessible, robust degree programs is reflected in the award winning, highly recognizable programming and curriculum that is used with more than 20,000 students annually. Under his direction, the Worldwide Campus has experienced an increase in accredited programs, an expansion of highly qualified faculty and staff, and the introduction of research initiatives all of which help to advance the university’s relationships throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America. Embry-Riddle Worldwide has maintained top rank by U.S. News & World Report for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs since 2016.
Dr. Watret is active with organizations both nationally and internationally, serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Asia, Ltd. in Singapore; as an elected member for the Flight Safety Foundation Board of Governors; and as past board chair, and current board member, for the Florida Virtual School Board of Trustees. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS) and has been a featured speaker and panelist at several national and international conferences. During his 30+year tenure with the University, Watret has served in several administration roles, and he is a tenured Professor of Mathematics.
A licensed private pilot, he holds a Ph.D. and Master of Science in Mathematics, both from Texas A&M University, and a bachelor’s degree with honors from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Dr. Ken Witcher is the chancellor for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott Campus. Dr. Witcher was previously dean of the College of Aviation, Worldwide Campus, leading a team of over 700 active faculty supporting over 14,000 students. He has been an esteemed Embry-Riddle faculty member since 2004. Witcher’s aviation experience includes 20 years of service in the United States Air Force, where he served as superintendent of an operational test and evaluation squadron and field training detachment chief for many aircraft and supporting systems. He also served as a team member of the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds. His assignments included Bitburg AB, Germany; Luke AFB, Arizona; and Nellis AFB, Nevada. Witcher was an appointed member of the Nevada UAS test site selection panel and previously served as chair of the Nevada Aerospace and Defense Sector Council, reporting directly to the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board.
Academic Leadership
Meet Embry-Riddle’s academic leadership team, dedicated to advancing academic excellence, innovation and student success across all colleges and campuses.Academic Administration
- Dr. Kelly M. Austin, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
- Dr. Eduardo Divo, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
- Dr. Riccardo Bevilacqua, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
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University Administration
Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University
1 Aerospace Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3900
Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University
1 Aerospace Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3900