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Serving Others Through Education, Economic Mobility and Leadership at Illinois Tech and Beyond: Meet Dr. Raj Echambadi
Raj Echambadi, PhD, became the 10th president of Illinois Institute of Technology in August 2021. He is one of GlobalMindED’s featured speakers at the October 10 United Nations event with FSUN on the panel which Maria Flynn from Jobs for the Future will lead: Greater Human Capacity with AI: Emotional, Social, Academic, Professional, Societal, Global Impact. We are honored to share his purpose, path and passion with you.
Central to Echambadi’s vision for Illinois Tech’s future is a new path to preeminence driven by four principles: first, honoring and strengthening the university’s role as an engine of opportunity and national leader in economic mobility; second, pursuing growth through reimagining education to serve learners at all stages of life; third, fueling future innovation by empowering students; and fourth, exemplifying purpose-driven citizenship in service of Bronzeville, Chicago and the world.
Since becoming president, Echambadi has worked closely with faculty and staff to drive transformational growth at Illinois Tech, with a singular focus on industry relevance and student career success. As a result, enrollment has risen by double digits, and the university continues to be recognized as a national leader in ROI and economic mobility.
What's your personal story?
From 2017 to 2021, I served as the Dunton Family Dean of D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University. Under my leadership, D’Amore-McKim has become widely recognized for moving beyond traditional business silos and for embracing cross-disciplinary perspectives in both research and teaching.
Prior to joining Northeastern in August 2017, I served for eight years in various roles, including as the Alan J. and Joyce D. Baltz Professor and the senior associate dean of strategic innovation, at Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I was the driving force behind the scaled online M.B.A. (iMBA) program at the University of Illinois, which has been lauded as one of the best breakthrough, disruptive educational innovations in the past decade.
What key moments in your life led you to where you are today?
I am deeply grateful to my parents and entire family for their unfailing support throughout my academic journey. My mother and father both believed in the transformative power of education as well as the obligation to use our talents and gifts in service of our fellow human beings. Their faith in me --and their clear moral vision –propelled my progress through challenging and rigorous school and college programs in India and resulted in the extraordinary opportunity to pursue doctoral studies here in the United States. My parents made profound financial sacrifices to make this a reality. I’m also eternally grateful to generations of Americans for their enlightened and prescient investments in one of the world’s great higher education systems. These opportunities not only advanced my knowledge and intellectual potential but also enriched my view of the world and our shared human tapestry. Throughout my career, I have strived to help build more open and accessible higher education institutions so that many others might have the same opportunities for personal growth and prosperity.
Where does your passion to serve come from?
Both my parents and my personal faith taught the preeminent importance of serving others and building a world motivated by kindness and compassion. I have also been profoundly blessed by countless acts of generosity from colleagues and mentors throughout my education and career as a professor and academic leader. I humbly hope to honor their support and belief in me by acting as a servant leader and an advocate for democratizing higher education and its transformative potential.
How can GlobalMindED help you reach your goals?
At Illinois Tech, our Elevate initiative puts career readiness and success at the center of our educational experience. I am inspired by GlobalMindED’s mission and am honored to partner with GlobalMindED to find ways to expand access to the career role models, internships and mentorships that are so critical to career success.
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