Rowan University announces strategic leadership reorganization to support continued growth and innovation

Rowan University has announced a major leadership reorganization designed to support its continued ascent as a top-tier university and to position it for long-term success. 

Effective July 1, Tony Lowman, Ph.D., now provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, will be promoted to the newly created role of chancellor, while Vojislava “Voki” Pophristic, Ph.D., now dean of the College of Science & Mathematics, will be promoted to provost and executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.  

The decision by President Ali Houshmand to reorganize the university’s management came after close consultation with the Board of Trustees and reflects Rowan’s commitment to access, affordability, quality and economic impact, while positioning the university for continued success in the years ahead. 

The administration is aiming to better serve the state and region by increasing enrollment to 38,000 in the next decade, an ambitious goal that requires a redistribution of responsibilities across the institution. 

“Drs. Lowman and Pophristic are visionary leaders who have demonstrated a deep commitment to Rowan’s mission,” Houshmand said. “Their expanded roles will allow me to focus more directly on securing the financial and strategic resources necessary to sustain our momentum and meet the evolving challenges of higher education.”

In April 2023, the Rowan University Board of Trustees extended Houshmand’s contract to June 2029. Houshmand first arrived at the institution in 2006, serving as provost. He then was appointed president in 2012. 

Enrollment has more than doubled during his tenure, making Rowan the third fastest-growing public research university in the nation. The institution is now one of only two public universities in the nation to have three medical schools. Rowan has eight campuses and serves the community at more than 100 locations across New Jersey.  

Chancellor Lowman

As Rowan University’s inaugural chancellor, Lowman (at right) will oversee the university’s academic, administrative and economic development operations, including the Office of the Provost, Facilities and Operations, Information Technology, Marketing and Communication, and the university’s three medical schools. 

Lowman joined Rowan as dean for the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering in 2013, then was appointed provost in 2019. As provost, he most notably led the deans of the University’s 15 colleges and schools oversaw the development of 10 Ph.D. programs, which helped Rowan attain the metrics associated with Carnegie R1 research institution status, a designation it expects to achieve at its next review. 

Most recently, Lowman led a partnership with Dreamscape Learn to develop a center that creates immersive, virtual reality-enhanced courses that integrates cutting-edge technology, revolutionizing education and enhancing student learning experiences at Rowan .

As dean, he led Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering through a period of growth, doubling the size of the undergraduate student population and faculty size while developing the University’s first Ph.D. program. Lowman also established the departments of Biomedical Engineering and Experiential Engineering Education and established three federally funded research centers in transportation, advanced materials and manufacturing and virtual reality/artificial intelligence/machine learning.

Provost Pophristic

With Lowman’s promotion, Pophristic (at left) will oversee all non-medical colleges, student life, enrollment management, research, and faculty affairs. Pophristic brings a wealth of experience and leadership to this critical academic role.  

Pophristic joined Rowan in 2021 as dean of the College of Science & Mathematics. She led the university’s largest college, while also integrating the School of Earth & Environment into her administration. She expanded the college’s research portfolio and program offerings, while recruiting new faculty in a variety of disciplines.

Her efforts included launching four Ph.D., four master’s, and three bachelor’s degree programs, as well as growing research awards by 45 percent.

Under her leadership, College enrollment grew 20 percent, with nearly 6,000 students in Fall 2024, including master’s and Ph.D. enrollment each tripling.  

An announcement regarding the search for new leadership for the College of Science & Mathematics will be made in the coming weeks.