News
Global journey leads Reihaneh Hariri to Grand Valley and a future in student-centered innovation
July 01, 2025
When Dr. Reihaneh Hariri left her faculty position to work in the fast-moving world of autonomous vehicle systems; she didn’t expect that her journey would ultimately lead her back to the classroom. With a blend of industry experience and academic passion, she returns to higher education with a mission to shape the future of AI and healthcare while empowering the next generation of computing professionals. This fall, she begins her tenure-track appointment with the College of Computing at Grand Valley State University (GVSU). Hariri brings her global perspective, cutting-edge research, and a personal story of resilience that’s anything but ordinary.
Hariri’s journey to GVSU is marked by an impressive cross-disciplinary career. After teaching at a university, she transitioned into the automotive sector, contributing to the development of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) at Continental Automotive Systems. There, she led the optimization of radar-based safety-critical features. This work deepened her understanding of real-world technical challenges and the systems-thinking required in fast-paced environments. Yet, despite the momentum of her industry career, the call of academia remained strong.
“I’ve always known my dream was to be in academia,” Hariri shared. “My time in industry gave me great examples of hands-on activities and real world challenges that I'll bring into the classroom.”
Additionally, she successfully completed a project focused on developing a medically smart home environment tailored to support individuals with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, addressing their unique needs through innovative design. Her future goals at the College of Computing at GVSU include establishing her own research lab that fosters collaborative partnerships with industry leaders. She aims to leverage and apply generative AI to advance healthcare solutions and enhance the performance of radar sensing technologies.
Hariri’s personal story is as compelling as her professional one. An immigrant from Iran who lived in Malaysia before coming to the United States. While teaching in Malaysia and in the United States, she was shaped by different cultures and their techniques to learn. She brings a unique global lens to both her research and her teaching. Additionally, Hariri has received the prestigious Grace Hopper scholarship, several NSF travel grants, and Continental AG’s “Passion to Win” award. Her awards highlight both her academic promise and industry impact.
“I always tell my students that if you truly want something, you can achieve it. No matter where you come from,” Hariri said. “Stay strong, stay focused, and you’ll reach your goals.”
“Dr. Hariri’s research and teaching interests align with the future we envision for our college to enhance strong industry partnerships and expand applied research related to mobility, automotive and beyond ,” said Dr. Marouane Kessentini, dean of the College of Computing.
“Her presence strengthens our commitment to inclusive excellence and innovation, especially in areas that bridge technology and societal impact.”
Dr. Jonathan Engelsma, director of the Applied Computing Institute, led the search committee that brought Hariri to the College of Computing at GVSU. “Dr. Hariri stood out not only for her technical expertise and work in industry, but for her commitment to students and her collaborative mindset.”
Now settling into the Greater Grand Rapids area with her husband, she is excited to explore the region and become part of the GVSU community. Her arrival marks a new chapter in the College of Computing as one that blends academic excellence, lived experience, and a commitment to inclusive, student-centered learning.
Written by Shelby Harrison, director of marketing and communications for the College of Computing at GVSU.