Nasser Paydar
Assistant Secretary of Education for Postsecondary Education
Nasser Hamed Paydar was born in October 1956 in Tehran, Iran. He earned bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from the Syracuse University College of Engineering and Computer Sciences, later joining that university as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering.
He became a full professor, the chair of the department, and associate dean for graduate programs and academic programs. He was vice chancellor and dean of Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus for four years, then became chancellor of Indiana University East, where he served five years. He returned to the university in Syracuse where he served as executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer, then was appointed chancellor.
President Joe Biden nominated Dr. Paydar to serve in the Department of Education as the assistant secretary for the Office of Postsecondary Education. He was confirmed in August 2022.
He is married to Niioo, and they have two adult children.
In the News…
The Department of Education issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking “to rescind a portion of the regulation related to religious student organizations because the Department believes it is not necessary in order to protect the First Amendment right to free speech and free exercise of religion given existing legal protections.”
Dr. Nasser Paydar, Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education, said the executive order issued by President Trump in 2019 “prescribed a novel and unduly burdensome role for the Department in investigating allegations regarding public institutions’ treatment of religious student organizations.”
“[T]he Department certainly shares the view that public institutions should not treat religious student organizations less favorably than other student organizations, we do not, at this time, believe that a threat of remedial action with respect to the Department’s grants helps achieve this goal,” Assistant Secretary Paydar said. “This proposed rescission does not alter the Department’s commitment to religious freedom, which is enshrined in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as a fundamental human right that contributes to the vibrancy, diversity, and strength of our nation.”
Contact this Leader…
Did you pray for Assistant Secretary Paydar today? You can let him know at:
The Honorable Dr. Nasser Paydar
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education
Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave SW
Washington, DC 20202
