Mumbai: Illinois Tech Mumbai has appointed Professor Kevin W. Cassel as vice provost as the university prepares to welcome its first student cohort at its Mumbai campus in fall 2026.
Cassel has been associated with Illinois Tech for more than 25 years and currently serves as professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and applied mathematics. Before taking up the Mumbai role, he served as vice provost for academic transformation, where he led university-wide initiatives covering academic innovation, programme quality, curriculum development and student experience.
He has also served as vice provost for academic affairs and interim dean of the engineering school, where he was involved in academic planning, faculty collaboration and experiential learning initiatives.
In his new role, Cassel will lead academic operations at Illinois Tech Mumbai and work with faculty and academic teams across the Chicago and Mumbai campuses to maintain the university’s academic standards and develop interdisciplinary and experiential learning opportunities.
“Illinois Tech has a long-standing tradition of academic excellence, innovation, and preparing students for meaningful careers. At our Mumbai campus, we have a unique opportunity to extend that legacy to one of the world’s most dynamic education and technology ecosystems,” Cassel said.
He added that he would work with faculty, students and industry partners to build an academic environment focused on technical expertise, critical thinking and global exposure.
Illinois Tech Mumbai recently received a Letter of Approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish a degree-granting campus in India. The Mumbai campus, located in the Godrej Business District, is set to offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in STEM and business.
The university said the campus will combine international faculty, experiential learning and industry partnerships. Applications for the inaugural fall 2026 intake are currently open.
