Five Questions With Andrew Ross

You’ve had a variety of program leadership positions before your career turned toward Human Resources. What attracted you to these types of HR positions?

While some of my previous roles focused on program leadership, I was always drawn to the HR components—whether it was team development, problem-solving, or creating policies and procedures that helped organizations run more smoothly. What attracted me to HR was the opportunity to have a broader impact on both people and processes. I enjoy supporting individuals in their professional growth, navigating workplace challenges and developing systems that contribute to a strong, thriving work environment.

What drew you to this position at Duke Engineering specifically?

There’s a unique energy in higher education that I’ve always found exciting—an energy I realized was missing for me in the corporate world. This role at Duke Engineering stood out because it aligns so well with what I enjoy most in HR: project management, employee engagement and continuous improvement. I was especially drawn to the opportunity to lead HR initiatives that enhance workplace culture, streamline processes and support professional development across the school. The mix of strategic planning, relationship-building and hands-on problem-solving felt like the perfect fit for my skills and interests.

What are some of the goals you’ve set for yourself to achieve in your first few years in this role?

In my first year or two in this role, my focus is on developing and enhancing a professional development program that fosters career growth and skill-building for Pratt faculty and staff. Additionally, I plan to work closely with various teams to streamline HR and administrative processes, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency. Another key priority is maintaining and expanding HR resources to ensure they remain updated, accessible and engaging, particularly through enhancements to the Pratt School of Engineering Careers web page and Pratt intranet.

How can others here at Duke Engineering engage with you? What sorts of issues can you help people with?

As the assistant director of HR in the Dean’s Office, I’m here to support Pratt faculty and staff with both workplace challenges and growth opportunities. Whether it’s guidance on Duke HR policies, support with employee relations, assistance with professional development, or the creation of school or departmental policies and procedures, I’m happy to assist. Feel free to reach out!

What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not making Duke Engineering’s HR department as awesome as it can be?

Hands down, one of my favorite things to do in my free time is travel—both stateside and internationally. I love exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, and, of course, trying new foods. Along the way, I enjoy dabbling in amateur photography, capturing landscapes that I like to display at home.

I also love cooking and trying out new recipes. Italian cuisine is one of my specialties, but I’m always open to experimenting with different flavors and dishes. After cooking a meal, I enjoy settling down with a good book—almost always a mystery or a biography.

During the warmer months, I spend as much time as possible outdoors—hiking or near a body of water. The beach is my happy place, but I also enjoy a good hike. So far, my favorite hike has been Mt. Rainier in Washington State.