Stevenson University is pleased to announce the appointment of Ali Eskandarian, Ph.D., as Dean of Stevenson University Online and Vice Provost for Online Learning. Dr. Eskandarian brings more than 20 years of innovation and experience in academic administration and program development to the position. From 2012 to 2018, he served concurrently as the Dean for the College of Professional Studies, and the Dean and Chief Executive for the Virginia Science and Technology Campus at The George Washington University (GW). He was also a Founder and Co-Director of the Center for Quantum Computing, Information, Logic, and Topology; and Professor of Physics at GW. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and a Fellow of the Washington Academy of Sciences.
“With more than two decades of experience in higher education in executive, dean, faculty, and research roles, Dr. Eskandarian is a seasoned administrator with a distinguished academic record and an entrepreneurial spirit that will serve Stevenson University Online very well,” said Susan Thompson Gorman, Ph.D., Stevenson’s Executive Vice President and Provost.
Prior to joining GW, Dr. Eskandarian was the Distinguished Oliver Professor and Virginia Eminent Scholar at James Madison University, with joint appointments in the Departments of Integrated Science & Technology and Computer Science. He has also held positions at the National Research Council and in the aerospace industry. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics and a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from GW.
As one of the founding members of the team that launched GW’s College of Professional Studies (CPS), Dr. Eskandarian played a critical role in leading CPS’s substantial growth in online enrollment and revenue, and in the design, development, and implementation of numerous innovative undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificates. He has successfully secured funding for these and other types of programs and initiatives from the United States Department of Education, National Science Foundation, Sloan Foundation, AT&T, and other domestic and international partners.
As a thought leader and highly accomplished administrator, Dr. Eskandarian’s experience includes active engagement and partnership with government agencies, national laboratories, private industries, international organizations, and key community stakeholders. He has also contributed to two cycles of institutional self-study and review by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education as well as to specialized professional program accreditation reviews.
“It is a privilege to be joining the dedicated faculty, staff, and administrators as well as all the other stakeholders at Stevenson University (SU) during such crucial and challenging times in higher education,” said Eskandarian. “I am excited about the role that Stevenson University Online will continue to play in advancing the mission and worthy ideals of SU, while creating novel educational opportunities and career possibilities for existing and prospective non-traditional students.”
Stevenson University Online, based in Owings Mills, Maryland, offers more than 30 master’s, bachelor’s, and certificate programs in areas of specialization including nursing and healthcare, business technology and cybersecurity, forensics and crime scene investigation, law and criminal justice, and STEM teaching and education. With convenient online sessions and engaged faculty offering individualized support, Stevenson University Online serves working adults seeking educational programs that advance their careers and professional profiles.
Learn more at www.stevenson.edu/online.