Stevens Tech Names A Chief Online Learning Officer

Arshad Saiyed is joining Stevens Institute of Technology as its inaugural Chief Online Learning Officer

Stevens Institute of Technology has hired Arshad Saiyed as its inaugural Chief Online Learning Officer and Dean of Professional Education, effective April 15.

Saiyed is a proven innovator, having led the Experiential Digital Global Education (EDGE) unit as associate vice president for digital education and innovation at Boston’s Northeastern University since 2020. Saiyed built Northeastern’s digital services into a revenue center and launched significant corporate partnerships.

Before joining Northeastern, Saiyed was assistant dean for online programs at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He spent 18 years at Illinois’ Gies College of Business in various capacities related to online programs and digital strategy, including the creation of the innovative iMBA program, one of the world’s largest and most successful online MBA programs. In just four years, under Saiyed’s guidance, the iMBA program grew to 3,200 students from an initial enrollment of 114.

All told, Saiyed brings to Stevens more than 20 years of expertise in digital transformation within higher education. Throughout his tenure as an advocate for tech adoption in academia, he has championed integrating technology into education to enhance quality, affordability, and global reach.

WILL SPEARHEAD AN ONLINE COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

In his new role, Saiyed will spearhead the establishment of the College of Online and Professional Education, an independent academic unit dedicated to delivering high-quality, technology-infused online programs. The creation of this college reflects Stevens’ commitment to expanding access to education while maintaining academic rigor and relevance.

“Saiyed’s experience in driving the digital evolution of education makes him the ideal leader for this pivotal role,” says Jianmin Qu, Stevens’ senior vice president for academic affairs and provost in a statement. “His leadership will help propel Stevens to new heights in this space while meeting the evolving needs of students and employers.”

“I am honored to join Stevens Institute of Technology and to lead the charge in shaping the trajectory of online and professional education,”  Saiyed added in the announcement. “This role represents a profound opportunity to continue the institution’s rich tradition of excellence and redefine what is possible in online and professional education.”

Saiyed holds an engineering degree from Gujarat University, India, and an MBA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.