Nivine Megahed, Ph.D.
President of National Louis University
In March 2010, Nivine Megahed, Ph.D., became the 11th president of National Louis University, bringing more than 20 years of experience in making higher education more accessible for students of all backgrounds to one of the Chicago area’s oldest and most innovative nonprofit universities.
A clinical psychologist by training, Dr. Megahed began her academic career as a faculty member at the Georgia School of Professional Psychology. She went on to lead as campus dean at the American School of Professional Psychology in Hawaii and has been president at multiple institutions including , the University of Sarasota, and – just prior to joining National Louis – Kendall College in Chicago. She has worked as a psychologist in private practice and as an educational and programmatic consultant for universities around the world on issues related to curriculum and university development, digital applications in higher education, promoting women in leadership, and championing educational equity.
In addition, Dr. Megahed has overseen multiple colleges and universities for Kaplan Higher Education and other organizations where she provided leadership in the development of new programs, and operational and educational quality, combining academic expertise and business acumen in the service of student success.
Dr. Megahed’s current strategic priorities at National Louis include creating the modern urban university focused on affordable, accessible, quality education that promotes student success, veterans’ education, new frontiers in digital education, and education across the lifespan. She serves on multiple boards including the Partnership for College Completion, New York Kids Club, University of Arizona Global Campus, Chicago Public Media, and is a fellow for Complete College America. Dr. Megahed is also a member of The Chicago Network, The Economic Club of Chicago and The Commercial Club.
Egyptian by birth, President Megahed grew up in New York State. She earned her B.A. in Psychology, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from the State University of New York at Buffalo and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Rochester.
