About me
Dr. Ali A. Houshmand became Rowan University’s seventh president
in 2012 after serving for approximately six years as provost/senior
vice president, CEO and interim president. Inaugurated Sept. 20, 2013,
Houshmand is a dynamic leader whose personal connection with
students, employees, alumni, government leaders, the business
community and the public has become a hallmark of his presidency.
A lifelong believer in the power of education, Houshmand holds a
master’s degree in mathematical statistics, and master’s and doctoral
degrees in industrial and operations engineering.
His approach to growing the University has focused on four goals:
increasing access, improving quality, ensuring affordability and
promoting economic development. Known for his entrepreneurial
perspective and for challenging norms in higher education,
Houshmand has been instrumental in fostering public-private
partnerships and creating new opportunities to collaborate with
business and industry. His success is evident. Since 2012, enrollment
has more than doubled, making Rowan the fastest-growing public
research university in the Northeast and among the top 10 fastest-growing in the nation.
Under Houshmand, Rowan has evolved from a well-regarded state
school to a rising Carnegie-classified R2 (high research activity)
national university with three medical schools, including New Jersey’s
first veterinary school.
Ranked among the top 100 public research institutions in the nation,
Rowan offers bachelor’s through doctoral degree programs to nearly
25,000 students through its southern New Jersey campuses and online.
