The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation has elected Dr. Ali Houshmand, the president of Rowan University, as its new chairman. Houshmand, a nationally recognized advocate for higher education accessibility and economic development, succeeds Dr. Steven Rose, president of Passaic County Community College, who held the position for six years. The Foundation’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the nomination, recognizing Houshmand’s personal journey and professional achievements as a powerful testament to the organization’s mission.
Houshmand’s life story is a driving force behind his commitment to the Foundation. Raised in Iran by illiterate parents, he credits education with lifting him out of poverty, a journey that led to advanced degrees from prestigious institutions in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Since becoming Rowan University’s president in 2012, he has been a transformative leader, focusing on increasing access, improving quality, ensuring affordability, and fostering public-private partnerships that align education with the needs of the workforce. Under his leadership, Rowan has seen dramatic growth, expanding its reputation and impact across the state.
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing underserved students for college and careers. Its programs assist high school students with career exploration, professional skill development, and charting a path to post-secondary success. The Foundation also provides training for educators and supports various workforce readiness initiatives.
“It is an honor to help lead this important organization at a time when students and young adults across New Jersey need pathways to opportunity more than ever,” Houshmand said. He emphasized the essential nature of the Foundation’s work, stating, “I know firsthand that education can be transformative… The Foundation’s work preparing underserved students for college, careers and lifelong success is not only admirable – it’s essential.”
Donna Custard, president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation, lauded Houshmand’s appointment. “Dr. Houshmand is a visionary leader whose life story embodies the very purpose of our Foundation,” she said. Custard expressed her gratitude to the outgoing chairman, Dr. Rose, for his “steady and thoughtful leadership,” and voiced excitement about building on the Foundation’s momentum with Dr. Houshmand at the helm.
This appointment signals a continued commitment by the New Jersey business community to invest in and shape the state’s future workforce through educational and professional development programs. Houshmand’s leadership is expected to further strengthen the link between higher education and economic prosperity, ensuring that more young people have the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.
