Hamid Shirvani was born in Tehran, Iran, and was educated in both the United Kingdom and the United States. He graduated from the Polytechnic of Central London in architecture and holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from Princeton University, an M.L.A. from Harvard University, an M.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and an M.Arch. from Pratt Institute. He was taught from an early age about the importance of a quality education, as well as self-discipline, hard work, social justice, and respect for all human beings. As a first generation college graduate, he has internalized and carried these values throughout his career.
Dr. Shirvani’s learning approach centers around preparing students to enter the global community where they can walk with confidence through ambiguity, distinguish fad from trend, and make decisions about the future based on an appreciation of the past and insight into the present. He believes that a truly good education is built around the twin components of exploration and values that embrace the sanctity of life and a commitment to the betterment of society. As an educator he is dedicated to mentoring students—no matter what their traditions or beliefs may be—to lead lives committed to the search for truth and dedicated to the value of every human life.
Dr. Shirvani began his academic career as an Assistant Professor of Architecture and Urban Planning at The Pennsylvania State University, and continued as an Associate and Full Professor of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Sciences at the State University of New York College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry. He then moved into academic administration and leadership positions with his career progressively advancing from the levels of college Dean to system-wide Chancellor.
Dr. Shirvani served as Dean of the College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Colorado at Denver and Professor of Architecture and Urban Design; Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell and Professor of Philosophy; Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research at Queens College of the City University of New York and Professor of Urban Studies; Provost and Executive Vice President at Chapman University and Martha Masters Professor of Art and Architecture; President of California State University, Stanislaus and Professor of Art and Architecture; Chancellor of the North Dakota University System and Professor of Architectural Engineering at the University of North Dakota; and a Senior Fellow at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Currently he is Managing Partner of the Higher Education Innovation Group LLP in Washington DC.
Dr. Shirvani has worked in the field of higher education for more than 40 years, with 28 years spent in senior level executive leadership and management posts. His chosen vocation is to educate and nurture students and he strongly believes in a value-centered education. Dr. Shirvani is internationally recognized for his contributions to the fields of architecture and urban design and planning. His books have been used as major texts in classrooms throughout the United States and abroad. In particular, The Urban Design Process, which has been translated into four languages, is a major classic on the subject. He has also served as an urban design and environmental planning consultant to various public agencies and private development companies. Most recently, he served as chief design consultant for the 3400-acre Orange County Great Park, which involved reuse of the El Toro Marine Base. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects, and Fellow of the World Academy of Arts and Sciences.