President Nariman Farvardin
Dr. Nariman Farvardin became the seventh president of Stevens Institute of Technology in 2011, ushering in an era of unprecedented growth and innovation. The longest serving president among four-year institutions in New Jersey, Farvardin has profoundly shaped the university’s trajectory, leading Stevens through a remarkable renaissance that has elevated the institution to national and global prominence. Under his visionary leadership, Stevens gained recognition as a cornerstone of the region’s technology and innovation landscape, ascending to new heights across multiple domains including enrollment growth, student academic profile, faculty growth, research funding, philanthropic support and campus expansion. The university’s significant rise in rankings and stature stands as a testament to the strategic initiatives implemented during his tenure.
Farvardin’s ambitions for Stevens continue to climb, building on the solid foundation established during his presidency. His first 10-year strategic plan, The Future. Ours to Create., set ambitious goals for Stevens to emerge as a leading student-centric, technological research university. By the plan’s conclusion in 2022, Stevens had achieved or exceeded nearly all its objectives. Capitalizing on this success, in 2022, he led the development of a subsequent 10-year vision, Stevens 2032: Inspired by Humanity, Powered by Technology. This latest plan outlines Stevens’ goals related to four overarching priorities: Student Experience and Success; Research and Innovation; Academic Reputation and Connected Community. Together, these priorities will further elevate Stevens’ preparation of graduates and impact on the region and the world in the coming decade.
Throughout Farvardin’s tenure, advancing the university’s mission has evolved into an ongoing dialogue among Stevens’ vibrant community of students, faculty, alumni, staff and friends. The completion of the first strategic plan and launch of the second have not only secured Stevens’ position as an innovation leader but also set the stage for even greater future achievements. This momentum propels Stevens forward on its trajectory as a globally distinguished, student-centric technological research university.
This period of growth is evidenced by significant milestones including a remarkable 294% increase in undergraduate applications and a 62% rise in enrollment. The academic profile of incoming students has improved as well, with a 160-point increase in the median SAT score. Stevens, known for its rigorous, technology-intensive curriculum, is among a small percentage of universities that can report a 90% graduation rate, whereas the national average is approximately 50%. This statistic speaks to Farvardin’s laser focus on a holistic approach to student success. The university has made significant strides in promoting campus diversity, with a 10-point increase in the percentage of women and a nine-point increase in the percentage of students from underrepresented racial backgrounds, in the first-year class. The university’s efforts to expand access to education among disadvantaged communities was lauded by Bloomberg: As a member of Bloomberg Philanthropy’s American Talent Initiative (ATI), Stevens was designated an ATI “High-Flyer” for standout graduation rates and career outcomes among Pell Grant recipients. Additionally, 96.4% of Class of 2023 graduates secured employment or entered graduate school within six months, with an average starting salary of $85,200, and 97.5% of master’s students were employed at an average starting salary of $89,043.
Under President Farvardin’s leadership, Stevens also experienced remarkable growth in its academic and research capabilities. The complement of full-time faculty increased by 59%, while tenure and tenure-track faculty increased 71%. This expansion in faculty was accompanied by an impressive 199% increase in externally sponsored research awards, underscoring Stevens’ growing prominence in cutting-edge research and innovation.
Financial metrics have likewise shown significant improvement, including a 119% increase in operating revenue; an upgraded S&P credit outlook and a 362% increase in annual philanthropic support, along with a 164% increase in the size of the endowment. A revitalized philanthropy and alumni engagement program resulted in the successful completion of the $200 million Power of Stevens fundraising campaign — which surpassed its initial $150 million goal more than six months ahead of schedule.
Since 2011, Stevens has invested $500 million in comprehensive campus improvements, including the renovation and technological upgrade of all classrooms. This investment transformed the campus into a state-of-the-art educational and research environment, encompassing both physical infrastructure and digital technology. Several landmark capital projects were completed in recent years, significantly enhancing academic, research and campus facilities. These include the Gateway Academic Center, a 90,000 square-foot ultramodern teaching and research facility, along with other notable additions such as the North Building, the ABS Engineering Center and the Lore-El Center for Women’s Leadership. The university's commitment to technological advancement is further evident in new facilities like the Hanlon Financial Systems Lab and the Hanlon Lab for Financial Analytics and Data Visualization. Campus infrastructure was bolstered by the Babbio Garage expansion, while the remodeling of the Ruesterholz Admissions Center modernized the university’s welcome center for prospective students. Student life enhancements include the renovation of the Schaefer Athletic Center lobby and the completion of a new Student Wellness Center.
The crowning achievement of this transformation is the iconic University Center Complex, which opened in spring 2022. The largest construction project in Stevens’ history, its dual 19- and 21-story towers reshaped the campus skyline and are visible from New York City, symbolizing Stevens’ growing prominence in the metro area. Housing 1,000 students and featuring state-of-the-art facilities, the complex serves as a vibrant hub for student life, academic collaboration and community engagement. Both the University Center Complex in 2022 and the Gateway Academic Center in 2020 were awarded LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, highlighting Stevens’ commitment to sustainable design and construction.
In addition to these achievements, Stevens continues to amass recognition from external agencies and organizations. In 2024, the university earned Great Place To Work Certification™ for the second year in a row. In 2023, Stevens’ achievements in sustainability in both the classroom and campus operations resulted in a STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education; the university was first recognized with this rating in 2020. In 2022, facilitated through Farvardin, Stevens received the Active Minds Healthy Campus Award for its commitment to student mental health and wellness. In 2020, the New Jersey Business and Industry Association recognized the Stevens ACES (Accessing Careers in Engineering and Science) program, created under the direction of Farvardin to increase STEM educational and career opportunities for underserved students, with its Diversity and Inclusion Award. Stevens ACES also won the New Jersey Tech Council’s 2019 Innovation in Education Award. In 2018, Farvardin accepted the American Council on Education (ACE)/Fidelity Investments Award for Institutional Transformation in recognition of the innovative and dramatic changes that Stevens made in a relatively brief period. In 2017, Stevens was highlighted in Forbes as “The Turnaround University” and “one of the most desirable STEM colleges in the nation.”
As Stevens’ reputation has soared under Farvardin, the president himself has garnered numerous accolades for his leadership. In 2024, he was awarded the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor, recognizing his transformative influence at Stevens, his expansion of educational opportunities and his commitment to technological innovation and sustainability. In 2023, CUPA-HR awarded Farvardin the Chief Executive HR Champion recognition. In 2017, Carnegie Corporation of New York honored him with the prestigious Academic Leadership Award. In 2016, Farvardin was named Educator of the Year by the Research and Development Council of New Jersey, and in 2013, he was named CEO of the Year for nonprofit organizations by the New Jersey Tech Council (NJTC), the state’s premier trade association for technology companies, which also honored Stevens with its Knowledge Is Power award in 2015. Farvardin consistently ranks among ROI-NJ’s Top 10 Higher Education Influencers and Power lists, and in 2024, he secured a place on NJBIZ’s Education Power 50 list for the sixth consecutive year.
Under Farvardin’s leadership, Stevens’ rankings have improved dramatically. In 2024, U.S. News & World Report ranked Stevens No. 76 among National Universities, a 12-position increase in the last decade, making Stevens among the fastest rising universities in the United States. The Princeton Review included Stevens on its list of Best 390 Colleges and ranked it No. 12 on its Top 20 Best Career Placement list. Additionally, PayScale’s College ROI Report ranked Stevens No. 18 on its Best Value Colleges list and No. 14 for Return on Investment.
These impressive rankings reflect the substantial progress Stevens has made under Farvardin’s leadership, driven, in part, by a series of transformative academic initiatives. A cornerstone of these efforts is the development and implementation of SUCCESS (Stevens Undergraduate Core Curriculum: Essential Skills for Success), launching in fall 2024. This innovative curriculum is designed to "future-proof" a Stevens education, producing graduates who, regardless of major, are not only experts in their fields but also agile, creative thinkers capable of navigating future challenges. In addition to a First-Year Experience course and Foundations courses in key areas, the curriculum features pioneering Frontiers of Technology courses in cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence, data science, biotechnology, sustainability and quantum technology — allowing students to tailor their education to emerging trends and potential career paths.
Farvardin also oversaw significant transformations in Stevens’ academic structure. The School of Technology Management developed into a comprehensive and AACSB-accredited School of Business. Additionally, he guided the creation of the College of Professional Education, a dedicated unit designed to expand Stevens’ online graduate programs and meet the growing demand for STEM and technology-focused credentials and advanced degrees.
With Farvardin’s support, several new research centers and entrepreneurial programs were established. These include the Center for Research toward Advancing Financial Technologies (CRAFT), the first-ever NSF-backed fintech research center co-led with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the New Jersey Fintech Accelerator at Stevens Institute of Technology (NJFAST), a Strategic Innovation Center launched in partnership with the NJ Economic Development Authority and Plug and Play. Other notable initiatives include the Stevens Institute for Artificial Intelligence and the PSEG-supported Center for Sustainability.
Farvardin also launched several signature programs that extend Stevens’ impact beyond the classroom. He was the driving force behind Stevens’ first-place win in the 2015 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon competition with its SU+RE House, now on permanent exhibit at the Liberty Science Center. He has positioned Stevens as a sustainability leader, implementing renewable energy initiatives that led to Stevens joining an exclusive cohort of universities running on 100% clean electricity in 2021.
Other initiatives include the President’s Distinguished Lecture Series, bringing world-renowned thought leaders to campus; the President’s Special Lecture Series on Pandemics; OnStage at Stevens, a performing arts series featuring the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra; and StevensConnects, a partnership among Stevens alumni and students.
Farvardin also champions programs to nurture student talent and entrepreneurship — including iSTEM@Stevens, Launchpad, the Innovation Expo, the Clark Scholars program, the Pinnacle Scholars program and Stevens ACES — which enhance Stevens’ academic offerings, research capabilities and community engagement.
Regular engagement with students is an integral and rewarding element of Farvardin’s tenure. He teaches a freshman seminar course on Technology and Leadership; hosts monthly “Pancakes with the President” breakfasts with groups of students; and meets regularly with members of student organizations.
An electrical engineer himself, Farvardin serves in leadership positions on a number of technology, higher education and business-oriented organizations. He served as chairman of the New Jersey President’s Council Task Force on Alignment of Higher Education Programs and New Jersey Workforce Needs. He is a member of the Board of Advisors of TechUnited (formerly the New Jersey Tech Council) and previously served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and the Board of Directors of the Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF). In 2018, he was appointed by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology.
Farvardin is an accomplished researcher in the areas of information theory and coding, multimedia signal compression and transmission, high-speed networks and wireless networks. He significantly contributed to several communications standards and practical systems in data communication, image and video compression, and voice coding in wireless applications. He holds seven U.S. patents in data communication, image coding and wireless communication. He also co-founded two companies: Zagros Networks, a venture-funded fabless semiconductor company; and NovaTherm Technologies, a high-tech start-up company that develops technologies to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. Recognized for his research in communications and information theory, Farvardin is a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, which honors academic innovators who are named on a patent issued by the USPTO and who have contributed to the invention of products, goods and services which have positively impacted quality of life, economic development and welfare of society. A Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Farvardin served as associate editor for two IEEE publications: Transactions on Communications, from 1986 to 1990, and Transactions on Information Theory, from 1992 to 1995. He co-authored more than 150 technical papers in journals and conference proceedings. He is also a member of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).
Farvardin joined Stevens from the University of Maryland, where he was a member of the faculty for 27 years. He served as the University of Maryland’s Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost from 2007 to 2011, having previously served as Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Dean of the A. James Clark School of Engineering. Among his accomplishments at the University of Maryland was spearheading the development and implementation of the University of Maryland’s ambitious strategic plan, Transforming Maryland: Higher Expectations.
He was selected by the Governor of Maryland to serve on the state’s task forces for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Nano-biotechnology, and he chaired the University System of Maryland’s Task Force on Cybersecurity. He has also served on a number of special panels organized by the National Science Foundation, National Research Council, U.S. Department of Commerce and National Council of Entrepreneurial Technology Transfer.
In recognition of his contributions to technology education and his support of innovation and entrepreneurship, Farvardin was featured in The Washington Post as one of the “Five to Watch” in 2003. Among his honors are the National Science Foundation's Presidential Young Investigator Award, the George Corcoran Award for Outstanding Contributions to Electrical Engineering Education and the University of Maryland’s Invention of the Year Award in Information Sciences.
A native of Tehran, Iran, Farvardin earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, in 1979, 1980 and 1983, respectively.
Updated September 2024