WEST DES MOINES, IOWA (June 23, 2025) — Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences has appointed Erfan Mojaddam EdM, as its new chief information officer. He will start his duties September 15, 2025.
Mojaddam brings nearly two decades of experience in educational technology, data innovation, and digital transformation, including leadership roles at Stanford University and the University of California at Berkeley.
A former Peace Corps volunteer in Namibia, Mojaddam discovered his passion for teaching and technology integration early in his career. That path led him to a master's degree in technology, innovation and education from Harvard University, followed by a series of impactful roles focused on aligning technology strategy with academic and institutional goals.
Most recently, Mojaddam led educational technology at UC Berkeley, where he spearheaded digital initiatives to improve student success, developed dashboards for faculty to enhance instruction through data insights, and championed student engagement through the Student Technology Council. At Stanford, he helped launch Digital Medic, a global health education initiative that localized medical-training content for low-resource settings.
"Erfan is a thoughtful, future-minded leader who brings innovation, data, and human connection together to support institutional excellence," says Angela L Walker Franklin PhD, DMU president. "His experience working across continents and campuses will strengthen DMU's ability to use technology in service of education, equity, and community. We are thrilled to welcome him to our leadership team."
Mojaddam says he is drawn to DMU's momentum, new campus, and commitment to student-centered learning.
"I could feel it immediately. This is a place where innovation is welcome and people genuinely care about each other and the mission," he says. "I'm excited to help DMU build even stronger bridges between information technology, academics, and administration."
In his first year, Mojaddam plans to focus on relationship-building, conducting a comprehensive audit of IT systems, and services and exploring how AI, immersive learning, and actionable data can enhance student outcomes.
Mojaddam and his wife, Karen, look forward to making Des Moines their new home.
Located in West Des Moines, part of Iowa's capital metro, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences offers ten graduate-level professional-degree programs in anatomy, biomedical sciences, health-care administration, occupational therapy, osteopathic medicine, physical therapy, physician-assistant studies, podiatric medicine, and public health. Founded in 1898, the institution offers superior academics in a collaborative environment. DMU students' scores on national examinations, pass-rates on board certifications, and match-rates for medical residency programs are consistently higher than national averages and rates at peer institutions.
