Houshmand honored statewide for continued growth and success of University

President Ali Houshmand was recently honored by two publications for his stewardship of Rowan University, its historic growth and impact on the community throughout his tenure.

Rowan, which is on pace to soon earn R1 designation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, has more than doubled enrollment since Houshmand became the university’s seventh president in 2012.

In recognition of Rowan’s continued success, ROI-NJ this month ranked Houshmand #30 on its ROI Influencers Power List 2025: Super 75.

Editors wrote that Rowan’s “$1.5 billion ‘University of the Future’ plan calls to increase enrollment to 38,500 by 2033. This, from a university that already has impacted every aspect of South Jersey and its residents thanks to Houshmand’s leadership.”

On Feb. 17, NJBIZ named Houshmand to its 2025 Power 100 list, a statewide tally of the most influential leaders in New Jersey.

“Houshmand has been quietly advancing the institution since his appointment in 2012,” NJBIZ editors wrote. “Under (Houshmand), Rowan’s enrollment has more than doubled, making it the third-fastest growing public research university in the nation, while completing $1.36 billion in university-related construction projects, with $1.5 billion more planned in the next decade.”

NJBIZ remarked on vast programmatic and physical developments under Houshmand.

“Accomplishments include the planned launch of New Jersey’s first veterinary school, with the first class beginning in fall 2025; and in-progress construction, on the University’s West Campus, of both a biomedical research center and a new nursing school,” editors wrote.

“With his entrepreneurial perspective, Houshmand has been instrumental in fostering public-private partnerships, creating new opportunities to collaborate with business and industry on research; relevant education leading to productive, responsive careers; and economic development. He is also committed to strategic growth and public stewardship.

“Rowan’s workforce has more than doubled in 10 years, a key indicator of the institution’s vitality and a major contributor to its $2.9 billion statewide economic impact. The school recently was classified as a Carnegie R2 doctoral university in recognition of its elevated research and other activities.”