Dr. Zhu ‘Pays it Forward’ as Scranton’s New Provost

In his early teens, WeiDong Zhu’s academic prowess surpassed that of even his parents.

While they stressed the importance of education, neither Dr. Zhu’s father, an accountant, nor his mother, a custodian, graduated from college.

He was learning at an advanced level, though, and approached 10th grade at a crossroads built into China’s education system: whether to concentrate his studies in science or the humanities.

“There was a moment when my chemistry teacher taught us how to look at chemical reactions,” Dr. Zhu recalled. “He was teaching at a university level when we were in high school. And that was the moment that really captured me. I wanted to do science.”

Having benefited from numerous such examples in which someone’s guidance and kindness influenced him in his own career, Dr. Zhu carries those experiences with him as he approaches his duties as The University of Scranton’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

Dr. Zhu, Ph.D., assumed his position in July, following 19 years at Saint Peter’s University, a Jesuit sister institution in New Jersey, where he'd held numerous academic and administrative roles.

“Over the years, a lot of people really helped me and a lot of people guided me in the right direction,” said Dr. Zhu, who immigrated to the U.S. at age 25. “I feel that I really owe it to them to pay it forward.”

While at St. Peter’s, Dr. Zhu’s roles included professor of physics; co-director (and later director) of the Center for Microplasma Science and Technology; chair of the Department of Applied Science and Technology; vice president and (briefly) president of the faculty senate; dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and, most recently, interim vice president for academic affairs.

Dr. Zhu used his influence to advocate for faculty. He shaped policies and restructured academic programs. He helped infuse Ignatian values into faculty development, core revision and high-impact practices.

When necessary, though, Dr. Zhu also set aside major tasks to settle small things; like, for instance, when a faculty member struggled to use a new software system and was initially seen as resistant to change. He then personally met with the faculty member and walked them through the process, resolving the issue and helping the faculty member become comfortable using the system.

“In my first year as interim dean (2018-2019), I came to the realization that, as an administrator, I can make a completely different impact,” Dr. Zhu said. “Yes, there are struggles as an administrator. I have to deal with difficult things involving faculty or staff. But there are parts of this job that I really enjoy, that I can help people in a different way. …

“All of it distills down to communication, to clear policy-making, to the willingness to train people, to go to their space, to meet them where they are.”

A physicist by training, Dr. Zhu said he enjoys a challenge and examining problems from all angles — an approach he brings to his work as an administrator.

While he is a relative newcomer to Scranton, Dr. Zhu, who was an accomplished youth gymnast, learned how to ski at nearby Camelback Resort in the Poconos. He has made it a point to explore campus daily, often scheduling meetings outside of his home base at St. Thomas Hall, and added that Scranton’s Jesuit mission was a major factor in his interest in working at the University.

“I heard a lot about Scranton from colleagues at St. Peter’s and they speak very highly about Scranton,” Dr. Zhu said. “The campus also made a very good impression when I was doing my interview toward the end of February.”