Biography 

Farouk Dey, PhD 
President

Dr. Farouk Dey is a recognized leader in higher education, celebrated for his work in life design, workforce development, and social mobility. As the fourth President of Palo Alto University, a private, nonprofit, behavioral science institution in the heart of Silicon Valley, he is advancing a vision grounded in a commitment to human dignity and focused on improving the human condition in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and societal change. Under his leadership, the University is sharpening its focus on advancing human understanding through innovative education, groundbreaking research, and impactful practice in behavioral science.

Dr. Dey brings more than two decades of experience leading institutional transformation at the intersection of education, work, and well-being. His leadership at Palo Alto University emphasizes developing future-ready leaders in the behavioral sciences, advancing research on the human implications of emerging technologies, and building scalable models for community impact.

Prior to joining Palo Alto University, Dr. Dey held senior leadership roles at Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, and Carnegie Mellon University. Most recently, he served as the founding Vice Provost for Integrative Learning and Life Design at Johns Hopkins University, where he led an institution-wide effort to connect education with purpose, opportunity, and meaningful careers. He established the Imagine Center for Integrative Learning and Life Design, expanded alumni mentoring and employer partnerships, secured philanthropic support for experiential learning, and contributed to measurable gains in student engagement and career outcomes.

Dr. Dey is widely recognized for his work in life design, career education, experiential learning, and the future of work. He is a sought-after speaker and advisor who brings a practical perspective to how institutions can respond to shifts in technology, society, and the workforce. His work with universities, startups, and nonprofit organizations reflects a sustained commitment to ensuring that advances in technology are guided by human dignity, well-being, and meaning.

Dr. Dey holds a PhD and an EdS in Educational Leadership from the University of Florida, an MBA and an MEd in Counseling Psychology from Washington State University, and a BBA in Finance from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Throughout his career, a unifying personal philosophy has remained constant: nothing matters more than a human being in pursuit of knowledge, connection, dignity, and meaning. As President of Palo Alto University, he advances this commitment by guiding the institution toward a future shaped by human understanding, grounded in human dignity, and directed toward improving lives at scale.