Raj Echambadi

  • President, Illinois Institute of Technology

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Raj Echambadi became the 10th president of Illinois Institute of Technology in August 2021.

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, 鶹APP, and the world. 

From 2017 to 2021 Echambadi served as the Dunton Family Dean of D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University. Under his 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. Programmatic innovations include the “MBA x” program, “MS x” program, combined undergraduate majors, and work-integrated degrees with business partners; each of these help students and learners develop multidisciplinary perspectives by blending their business studies with non-business areas of expertise, such as computer science or experiential design. During his tenure, Echambadi created an Office of Student Engagement, Affinity, and Inclusion at D’Amore-McKim to foster better on-campus experiences for students and launched several programs—Building Belonging Fellows, Pathfinders, Peer Affinity Cohorts—in order to build an inclusive community and cultivate a culture of belonging at the school.

Prior to joining Northeastern in August 2017, Echambadi 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. Echambadi was a 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.

Echambadi received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Anna University in India and a doctorate in marketing from the University of Houston. His academic research focuses on strategic innovation within organizations and how firms should balance current and future opportunities. He has won numerous teaching and research accolades including the prestigious Academy of Management Journal Best Paper Award for his work on employee entrepreneurship.

Media Appearances

鶹APP Sun-Times

鶹APP Public Schools juniors and seniors could trim two years off the time it takes to earn a college degree in a new dual-enrollment program with City Colleges of 鶹APP and Illinois Institute of Technology. The Runway 606 program, starting this fall, will allow any CPS student with a 2.5 GPA to apply for dual enrollment with City Colleges of 鶹APP and a pathway to earn a technology-based degree at Illinois Institute of Technology.

鶹APP Tribune

“Technology is infused in every part of our society,” Illinois Tech President Raj Echambadi said. “So if a student or a learner is not equipped with technology, then obviously the society, the community, the city, the state and the nation suffers. This is a very small step for us, but hopefully, it will be a giant leap for 鶹APP.”

Streets Blog 鶹APP

"I'm so honored to welcome you all today to our campus in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood that is so rich in historical significance and cultural legacy," said Illinois Tech president Raj Echambadi before the ride took off. "Today we are gathered to remember the tragic events that took place in 1919 – part of our shared history of the city of 鶹APP. We are here today not only to remember and witness the lives so tragically taken but also to ensure that we never, ever, ever forget. And indeed, we commit to eternally combat the system of prejudice and discrimination that fueled that horrific event."