Vistasp M. Karbhari is a Professor in the Departments of Civil Engineering, and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he served as the 8^th president from 2013 to 2020.  He is passionate about the opportunity of higher education and focuses on issues related to enhancing access, increasing relevance and value for learners and society, transfer pathways, returning adult students, impactful research and innovation, AI, digital and online learning, digital transformation, and the integration of academic knowledge and skills needed for success in the workforce. An internationally reputed researcher, Dr. Karbhari is an expert in the processing and mechanics of composites, durability of materials, infrastructure rehabilitation, and multi-threat mitigation and has authored/coauthored over 450 papers in journals and conference publications and is the editor/co-editor of 7 books. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS); the National Academy of Inventors (NAI); the American Society of Civil Engineers; ASM International; the International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM); the International Institute for Fiber-reinforced Polymers in Construction; the International Society for Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure; ASCE’s Structural Engineering Institute, and is an elected member of the European Academy of Science and Arts, and a Distinguished Fellow of the Engineering & Technology Institute, as a Fellow of Complete College America (CCA). In 2025 the American Association of University Administrators awarded him its Steven Trachtenberg Award for Thought Leadership.