When U.S. News & World Report released its online programs rankings this week, GW Engineering had continued its steady climb in the listing, ranking eighth overall for online engineering graduate programs and seventh for graduate engineering programs for veterans.
GW Engineering Online programs first appeared on the U.S. News listing in 2016 at number 55. GW Engineering Online Director Shahram Sarkani and Co-Director Thomas Mazzuchi—both professors of engineering management and systems engineering (EMSE)—established a goal to reach the top 10 in the rankings in a decade by growing and improving program offerings in every measurable category, focusing on quality and the student experience.
“I’m excited about this. Sarkani said. “Dr. Mazzuchi and I, with the support of Drs. Amir Etemadi and JP Blackford, have been working toward this goal since the beginning. I knew this was going to happen because I never stop until I reach my goal—I can’t help it.”
Originally from Iran, Sarkani recalled the personal and professional impact of his early years and the role his transition from his childhood home to his U.S. home played in his journey. When he landed in Louisiana in 1975, he didn’t know what to expect and was happy to meet individuals who wanted to help.
“I’ve always liked improving processes and helping people, probably because so many people have helped me,” he said. “My life experiences are at the foundation of who I am, and those experiences are why I do what I do. Throughout my career, I have been given many chances to succeed, and I want to give the same opportunities back to others.”
When Sarkani arrived at GW, almost 40 years ago, one of the first staff members he met was Zephra Coles. At the time, she was the administrator for the Civil, Mechanical and Environmental Engineering Department and was helping students register for classes. He saw many anxious students and immediately set out to improve the process.
“I walked in and immediately went into improvement mode, which completely caught her off-guard,” he said. “But she ran with it, and together we helped those students, which is what it is all about.
“Looking back, I can laugh because Zephra was here at the beginning and was one of the first people at GW that I challenged. But we quickly became partners, working together toward the same goal of supporting the students. She will always have my gratitude and respect.”
GW Engineering has a history of making graduate engineering education accessible to working professionals by setting up satellite classrooms with corporate entities both in the United States and abroad.
In 1999, Sarkani joined the newly formed EMSE Department and, in 2000, was tasked by Mazzuchi, the EMSE Department chair at the time, with revamping the department’s off-campus operation. That was the beginning of a strong partnership, as they worked together to improve off-campus programs and eventually transformed them into today’s GW Engineering Online programs. Sarkani often refers to Mazzuchi as his academic brother in reference to their long-standing professional partnership and friendship.
“Working with Dr. Sarkani has been one of the highlights of my career,” Mazzuchi said. “I have learned from him, we have accomplished a lot together, and we have also had some fun on the way.”
From 2001 until 2006, Sarkani delivered off-campus graduate education opportunities for employees at SAIC, Lockheed Martin, Leidos and other private companies with offices in the D.C. area. The program grew to reach more than 22 U.S. cities and several more worldwide. The broad reach of these offerings required the use of meeting software that accommodates different time zones, operating systems and other required resources.
“When I realized the rate at which the programs were growing, I made a recommendation to the university leadership to open these programs up to the public and transform them into distance education programs,” Sarkani said. “The university agreed, which made these programs more sustainable and created a student pool outside of the private companies with whom we had initial contracts.”
In May 2024, GW Engineering Online hit another milestone under Sarkani. Of the 2024 graduating class that earned doctorates, more than 40% were members of underrepresented groups, including 32% who identify as Black/African American, compared to the national average of only 4%.
“I believe that if you provide everyone with a level playing field, anyone can succeed,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from. If you want to be successful in our programs, we will do everything in our power to provide you with the necessary framework to meet your needs and help you achieve your goals.”
Sarkani continues to develop strategies to ensure the future of GW Engineering Online while maintaining high standards for entrance and completion for all the degree programs. Today, GW Engineering Online has more than 1,500 students who work across the federal government and at top technology and Fortune 500 companies.
GW currently offers seven master’s and five doctoral degrees online in rapidly growing fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and cybersecurity.
John Lach, dean of GW Engineering, said that the improvement in the school’s online program hasn’t happened by accident.
“They happen because of people like Shahram Sarkani,” Lach said. “He cares so deeply about students and giving them the highest-quality education and experience in our programs.”