Irma Becerra Fernandez

Irma Becerra-Fernandez is an American electrical engineer and the seventh president of Marymount University. She has held this role since July 1, 2018. Prior to her current post, she was the provost and chief academic officer at St. Thomas University (Florida).

Early life and education

Becerra-Fernandez was born in Cuba and moved to the United States as an infant, growing up in Puerto Rico. She earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Miami. She later received a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Florida International University, becoming the first woman to earn a doctoral degree in that field from the institution.

Career

Becerra founded FIU's Knowledge Management Lab and led projects as principal investigator at the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the Air Force Research Lab. She was also a Sloan Scholar at MIT's Center for Information Systems Research.
Fernandez served as Provost and Chief Academic Officer at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Fla., from 2014 to 2018.
She is the first Latina president of Marymount University, and her contract was extended through June 2028. Becerra is a contributor to the Forbes Business Council and serves as the Vice Chair of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area's Board of Trustees.
Her leadership at Marymount has been guided by the institution’s newly adopted vision: "Marymount, a leading Catholic university, will be nationally recognized for innovation and commitment to student success, alumni achievement, and faculty and staff excellence." During her tenure, Marymount achieved several milestones, including:

Becoming nationally ranked for the first time by U.S. News & World Report
Receiving designation as Virginia’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution
Earning classification as a Research University by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Becerra led the university through a transition to remote and hybrid learning, prioritizing faculty training, digital accessibility, and health protocols.

Research and knowledge management

Becerra's academic work explores knowledge sharing, organizational learning, and information systems. She has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and several books. Her research often focuses on knowledge transfer and organizational resilience, particularly during crisis situations.

Advocacy and educational philosophy

Becerra advocates for increased representation of women and minorities in STEM fields. As a first-generation college graduate and immigrant, she has mentored underrepresented students and emphasized a values-based educational approach. At Marymount, a Catholic institution, she has highlighted the integration of faith, reason, and service within the academic experience.

Awards and recognition

Named one of the 50 Most Influential People by Northern Virginia Magazine
Named one of the Most Powerful Women in Washington by Washingtonian
2022 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award from the Support Our Aging Religious organization
Washington Business Journal's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion of 2022
Women in Leadership Award from Virginia Business
Saluted as one of the Top 35 Women in Higher Education by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, 2020
Recognized in the Washington Business Journal's Power 100 Class of 2019
Selected as one of the Washington Business Journal's "Women Who Mean Business," 2019
Educator of the Year by the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 2015
Bronze Medal Award by the Miami Today Newspaper, 2014
2013 Educator of the Year by HENAAC Great Minds in STEM
In the Company of Women Award for Education and Research, a Women's History Month Celebration, with support from The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade, the Office of the Mayor, and the Board of County Commissioners, March 2012
The Association of Cuban Engineers' Engineer of the Year Award for outstanding contributions to the profession, 2011
Kauffman Entrepreneurship Professor, Florida International University Pino Center for Entrepreneurship, March 2007
Selected for initiation into the professional business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi, for academic achievements and continued interest in the profession, April 2006
Florida International University Torch Award for Outstanding Faculty, 2004
Washington Business Journal's Power 100 of 2025
Washingtonian's Most Powerful Women in Washington 2025
Northern Virginia Magazine's 50 Most Influential of 2025