President's Biography

Nagi G. Naganathan, Ph.D., ASME Fellow

President, Oregon Institute of Technology

Dr. Nagi Naganathan was chosen to serve as the seventh president of the Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) effective April 2017. Prior to joining Oregon Tech, he served for 31 years at The University of Toledo in Ohio in a variety of academic and leadership roles, including as a faculty member of Mechanical Engineering, department chair, dean of the College of Engineering, and interim president.

Since his appointment, Oregon Tech has expanded its institutional impact, academic offerings, infrastructure, and statewide recognition. Under Dr. Naganathan’s leadership, the university developed and implemented a comprehensive strategic plan and a strategic enrollment management plan that has resulted in consecutive increases in first-year enrollment cohorts. Oregon Tech has also strengthened partnerships with industry and higher education institutions, most notably through its leadership role in the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center Research & Development (OMIC R&D) collaborative.

Dr. Naganathan has guided the launch and advancement of several major academic and institutional initiatives aligned with Oregon Tech’s mission of improving the human condition through applied project-based learning and measurable workforce outcomes. These efforts ensure that graduates are prepared not only with strong technical competence but also with the professional character and real-world experience needed to contribute meaningfully to the industries and communities they serve.

These initiatives include the development of Oregon Tech’s first doctoral program in Physical Therapy in collaboration with Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), the introduction of the Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence—Oregon’s first baccalaureate degrees in Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity offered by a public university in Oregon, the launch of the Bachelor of Science in Construction Management program, and continued expansion of health sciences and engineering programs designed to address critical workforce needs across Oregon and beyond. Guided by Dr. Naganathan’s vision and leadership, Oregon Tech is developing a medical school focused on rural and frontier health. In 2025, Oregon Tech also celebrated its first recipient of a prestigious national scholarship through the recently launched university’s Office of National Scholarships, reflecting the growing national competitiveness and visibility of its students.

Several major campus capital improvements have also advanced during Dr. Naganathan’s presidency, with an investment of more than 180 million dollars. These include the construction of a new engineering and technology building, renovation of instructional and athletic facilities, and major investments in other campus infrastructure. The improvements also include a new residence hall valued at approximately $35 million on the Klamath Falls campus, scheduled for completion in 2026.

Philanthropic partnerships have supported expanded opportunities for students, including initiatives such as the DeArmond Manufacturing Fellows program and a financial literacy program designed to strengthen student success and career readiness. Private philanthropy has also helped advance new campus facilities, including the Kip Thomet Memorial Fieldhouse, an 8,500-square-foot indoor training and wellness facility supporting both student-athletes and academic programs. 

A defining milestone during Dr. Naganathan’s presidency was the designation of Oregon Tech as Oregon’s Polytechnic University. In June 2021, Governor Kate Brown signed House Bill 2472 into law, granting the designation, following approval by both chambers of the Oregon Legislative Assembly.

As a researcher,  Dr. Naganathan secured more than $6 million in external research grants and contracts and authored or co-authored more than 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. He is also the recipient of a U.S. patent and has received numerous teaching, research, and service awards. He was elected a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), one of the highest professional distinctions in the field.

Dr. Naganathan’s professional contributions extend to service on numerous national and international boards and advisory groups. His roles have included service as a director on the American Society for Engineering Education Engineering Deans Council Executive Board, as a member of the Board of Directors of the Ohio Aerospace Institute, and as president of the Executive Committee of the Council of Energy Research and Education Leaders. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Global Association of Work-Integrated Learning, headquartered at the University of Waterloo in Canada, and on the boards of the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center R&D, the Oregon Innovation Council, and the Portland Business Alliance.

A mechanical engineer by training, Dr. Naganathan earned his bachelor’s degree with honors from the National Institute of Technology at Trichy, University of Madras, India, his master’s degree from Clarkson University in New York, and his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University in 1986. He was awarded an honorary doctorate (Doctor Honoris Causa) by the Technical University “Gheorghe Asachi” in Iași, Romania, in 2015, and a second honorary doctorate by Clarkson University in 2021.

April 21, 2026