Fulfilling a Father’s Promise Fueled Alumnus Nasser Paydar’s Path as Increased Training Chief
How a lot would you sacrifice to attain your goals?
When Nasser Paydar ’79, G’81, G’85 was about to graduate from highschool in Iran, his father, Hossein, made the last word sacrifice to set his beloved son up for fulfillment. Hossein labored arduous his complete life to maintain and supply for his household, however he lamented his lack of a school diploma and needed to make sure nothing held his son again from reaching his objectives.
One night time, as Nasser was ending up his highschool research, father and son engaged in a dialog that may without end alter Nasser’s life and set him on a path that may open up the doorways of upper training to not solely Nasser, however numerous different college students.
Although he knew there was an excellent likelihood he may by no means see his son once more, Hossein put his son on an airplane, sending him greater than 6,300 miles internationally to Syracuse to review mechanical engineering at Syracuse College.
Nasser Paydar ’79, G’81, G’85, the brand new assistant secretary for postsecondary training within the U.S. Division of Training
From these humble beginnings, Paydar carved out a extremely profitable and adorned profession in greater training, spending practically 5 a long time as a well-respected chief on faculty campuses, together with serving as chancellor at Indiana College-Purdue College Indianapolis (IUPUI) and Indiana College East, and government vp of Indiana College (IU).
Earlier this week, Paydar’s appointment to function the U.S. Division of Training’s assistant secretary for postsecondary training was confirmed, finishing a course of began when Paydar was nominated for the place by President Joseph L. Biden Jr. L’68.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve our nation and to serve our college students and universities on this place. I’ve spent the final 47 years on faculty campuses, and I actually assume I could make a distinction in our schools and universities on the nationwide stage,” says Paydar, who began his new place on Monday.
Fulfilling a Promise to His Father
It’s the fruits of a promise Paydar made to his father practically 5 a long time in the past. That fateful night time, as Paydar confronted an unsure future abroad, his father made him promise to “go all the best way” along with his training.
“I do know it should have been arduous for my father, however I’m without end grateful to him. My father taught me the worth and the significance of upper training. My pursuit of upper training was so essential to him that he was prepared to danger not seeing his youngster once more. I’ve spent my profession and I’ve devoted my life to serving to as many individuals have entry to a better training diploma as potential,” says Paydar, who earned his bachelor’s, grasp’s and Ph.D in mechanical engineering from the School of Engineering and Pc Science.
Making Increased Training Extra Accessible
Whereas at Syracuse College, Paydar says he skilled the spotlight of his life: assembly his now spouse, Niloo ’80, G’83. The couple has two youngsters, each of whom have earned a Ph.D.: Omeed and Naveed.
In addition to being an avid believer within the energy of upper training, Paydar additionally impressed his youngsters in one other, equally essential method: “Although my sons have by no means been to campus, they’re the strongest supporters of [head men’s basketball coach] Jim Boeheim ’66, G’73,” says Paydar.
All these years later, Paydar is aware of his father can be proud to see the work Nasser has executed to open the doorways of upper training to as many individuals as potential.
“I owe every little thing to the training I acquired at Syracuse College and to the sacrifices my father made. The college at Syracuse had been like household to me, and Syracuse taught me easy methods to work together with others, to work effectively in small teams and to collaborate with companions. These are the talents you want in a management place, and people are the talents that serve me effectively at present,” says Paydar, who served on the board of administrators of the American Affiliation of State Schools and Universities.
Paydar, the chancellor emeritus of IUPUI, was additionally IUPUI’s government vice chancellor and chief tutorial officer. He served on the IU college for greater than 36 years, together with as chair of the division of mechanical engineering, affiliate dean for graduate applications, affiliate dean for educational applications and government affiliate dean. He additionally was vice chancellor and dean of Indiana College-Purdue College Columbus.
