Mr. Jay Askari

Mr. Askari is a seasoned professional with more than 40 years of supervisory and administrative experience and over 25 years of experience in college and university teaching, academic leadership, international business consulting, and educational management. His extensive professional background encompasses operations, organizational development, Total Quality Management (TQM), administration, training, facilitation, executive management, project management, and global business.

Throughout his career, Mr. Askari has demonstrated exceptional organizational and leadership abilities, complemented by strong interpersonal and communication skills. His expertise includes negotiation, conflict resolution, organizational development, and working effectively in diverse and international environments. As an educator and facilitator, he has consistently focused on achieving meaningful learning outcomes and fostering professional and academic excellence.

Since 2019, Mr. Askari has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the University of West Los Angeles. He has also served as President and Chief Administrative Officer of NIU College since 2012, providing leadership in institutional administration, academic operations, organizational development, and strategic management.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Askari held several academic and administrative leadership positions, including Academic Dean at Everest College, Executive Director at Kaplan College, and Academic Manager at the University of Phoenix. These roles gave him broad experience in higher education administration, faculty development, academic operations, student success, and institutional leadership.

Mr. Askari has extensive university teaching and facilitation experience in Statistical Analysis, Executive Management, Global Management, Total Quality Management, Project Management, Communication, and Organizational Development. He has been recognized for his “superb classroom performance, demonstrated leadership, sound judgment, and maturity” and has served in various academic leadership capacities, including Master Professor, Faculty Assessor, Faculty Coordinator, and member of an Academic Governance Team.

His professional and academic achievements have been recognized through numerous honors and awards, including:

• 2002 Outstanding Faculty of the Year Award, University of Phoenix.
• 2005 DOE President's Club Award, Kaplan Higher Education Corporation.
• 2006 Retention Award, recognizing achievement among 70 colleges within Kaplan Higher Education Corporation.
• Faculty of the Month, received eight times in recognition of meritorious classroom performance, excellence in teaching, and outstanding facilitation skills.
• Lifetime Community College Instructor Credential Award, Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.
• 1998 Leadership Award, Volunteers of America.
• 2001 Outstanding Leadership Award, YMCA.

With a career spanning higher education, international business, administration, consulting, and organizational leadership, Mr. Askari brings a distinctive combination of academic expertise, executive experience, leadership, teaching excellence, and commitment to organizational and professional development.