Dr. Amir Mohammadi to Assume New Post at Slippery Rock Univ.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Dr. Amir Mohammadi, who has been an instrumental part of the growth of Delaware State University since 2006, will be leaving the institution to assume a new post at Slippery Rock University (SRU) in Western Pennsylvania.

After serving a succession of executive administrator posts at DSU, culminating currently as executive vice president and University treasurer, Dr. Mohammadi will become the vice president of Finance and Administration at SRU, which has an enrollment of 8,300.

Dr. Mohammadi said that it has been a great pleasure to be a part of DSU for the last eight years.

“I am leaving with mixed emotions as my new career chapter means I must leave many friends and colleagues who I have come to deeply appreciate,” Dr. Mohammadi said. “It has been exciting to be part of the institution’s remarkable growth and development. DSU has a solid university infrastructure that is contributing greatly to its success, and I will continue to pay close attention to the ongoing fulfillment of the University’s potential in the coming years.”

He arrived at DSU in 2006 after serving in administrative posts at West Virginia University, where he was promoted 10 times in 15 years. At DSU he was promoted six times in his eight-year tenure. Among his positions, he first served as DSU’s vice president of Student Affairs from 2006 to 2007. He then was appointed as the vice president of Finance and Administration and University treasurer from 2007 to 2011. His title became executive vice president and University treasurer from 2011 to present.

In addition Dr. Mohammadi held other concurrent DSU posts: president of the Student Housing Foundation (2006-present), controller of the DSU Development Foundation (2008-present), board member and treasurer of the DSU Early College High School, and interim dean of the College of Business (2013-present).

“Dr. Mohammadi’s diverse array of responsibilities over the last eight years has resulted in a great number of successes at Delaware State University,” said DSU President Harry L. Williams. “He has been an integral part in increasing and managing DSU’s enrollment growth and has importantly helped DSU become one of the top ranked institutions among America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”

Among the accomplishments that took place under Dr. Mohammadi’s leadership:

Oversaw the development of the latest Campus Master Plan that will guide DSU in its physical infrastructure improvements over the next 20 years.

Provided the leadership in negotiating a $12 million lease with an option to buy the 140,000 square foot Sheraton Hotel near the campus, which provides the University with an additional 300 residential beds for its on-campus student population as well as a site for its Early College High School.

Created a partnership for energy reduction with the U.S. Department of Energy, resulting in DSU’s selection nationally as one of the nine institutions of higher education to become part of the Obama Administration’s Better Building Challenge in December 2011. Dr. Mohammadi’s finance creativity led him to develop an innovative financing alternative which has received national recognition.

Reduced DSU’s energy consumption by $5.3 million, decreasing deferred maintenance by $6.2 million, while reducing the University’s carbon footprint by 26%. This was accomplished through measures that increased efficiency and upgraded important facility systems by using innovative options for financing capital improvements with energy savings.

Negotiating three MOUs with China, Malaysia and India, as well as negotiated a DSU presence in Vietnam.

Led the acquisition of the Kirkwood Facility – formerly a U.S. Army Reserve Center in New Castle County – resulting in an expansion of the University’s academic offering in the northern part of Delaware.

Provided the financial leadership in reaffirming and obtaining an A+ rating from Standard & Poor’s.

Led the planning for the construction of DSU’s Strength and Conditioning Facility, its Wellness & Recreation Center and DSU’s new Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center.

Dr. Mohammadi will begin his new post at SRU on May 19.

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