Ratcliff Retiring in September

Terri Helmlinger Ratcliff, vice provost for outreach and engagement, is retiring from the university on Sept. 30.

Ratcliff, who also serves as executive director of NC State’s Industry Expansion Solutions, was the first woman to receive the “Engineer of the Year” award from the National Society of Professional Engineers. She served as the society’s president in 2003-04.

Under her leadership NC State was designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. She spearheaded an innovative Ultimate Community Partnerships program and established the University Engagement Advisory Board.

“We appreciate Terri’s visionary leadership during her tenure as vice provost, and I know you join me in wishing her well in her future endeavors,” Provost Warwick Arden said in a message to faculty and staff.

A registered professional engineer, Ratcliff is president of the PENC Educational Foundation. She was recently elected as the southern zone vice president for the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.

Ratcliff is a former vice chairwoman of the federal Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Advisory Board and past chairwoman of the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Land Surveyors. She joined the board of directors of Mulkey Engineers and Consultants last year.

She serves on the steering committee for the Manufacturers’ Council of the North Carolina Chamber and on the boards of the Southern Technology Council and National Association of Manufacturers’ Manufacturing Institute Education Council.

Ratcliff earned a B.S. in engineering operations from NC State, an MBA from Duke University and a Ph.D. in public administration from NC State.

Arden has appointed Alice Warren, vice provost for continuing education, to serve as interim vice provost for outreach and engagement.