Portrait: Barry Falls

Dear Fellow Alumni,

During Alumni Weekend in June, President Nariman Farvardin and I sat down for a fireside chat as part of the Stevens Alumni Association’s 150th anniversary celebration. We reflected on Stevens’ upward trajectory, the challenges facing higher education and the vital role alumni play in shaping Stevens’ future.

After our conversation, I found myself thinking about how we, as alumni, can champion the value of higher education and help bring its broader impact into focus.

As alumni, we know the value of a Stevens education because we’ve lived it. The knowledge we gained, the relationships we built and the mindset we developed continue to shape our careers and lives.

But higher education today is facing unprecedented uncertainty, from shifting enrollment trends and evolving workforce needs to questions about its value and the expanding role of AI.

For generations, Stevens has consistently adapted to meet the needs of a changing world and prepared graduates to lead through change and drive innovation. With disciplined fiscal management and strategic investments, Stevens is well positioned to navigate this evolving climate and continue building on its momentum.

Alumni are a critical part of that success. My connection with Stevens has continued beyond graduation, and like many alumni, I’ve found some of my most rewarding experiences through giving back. Every time we mentor a student, open doors through internships or career connections, share our Stevens story or invest in the university, we reinforce the value of a Stevens education.

Now is the time to stay engaged. Share your expertise, serve on a board, connect Stevens with your network, support Senior Design projects and recruit students. Explore opportunities to continue learning and introduce your employer to our College of Professional Education. Consider making a gift to help future alumni. Connect in ways most meaningful to you.

Higher education will continue to evolve, and Stevens will evolve with it. But what will remain constant is the partnership between Stevens and its alumni and the impact we make together.

Michael Cahill ’15 M.Eng. ’15
President, Stevens Alumni Association
[email protected]

150 Years Forward: A Presidential Fireside Chat

In celebration of Alumni Weekend 2026 and the 150th anniversary of the Stevens Alumni Association, President Nariman Farvardin and SAA President Michael Cahill sat down for a candid conversation.