For 145 years, the principal’s office at St Stephen’s College was occupied exclusively by men. That changed on June 1, 2026, when Professor Susan Elias took charge as the institution’s first woman principal, marking a historic moment in the history of one of India’s most prestigious colleges. (Image: Instagram/@ststephensclg)

Elias becomes the 14th principal of St Stephen’s College, succeeding John Varghese. Her appointment comes at a time when the college is at the centre of a dispute with Delhi University over the selection process, but it has also been widely hailed as a significant step towards greater representation of women in leadership roles in higher education. (Image: LinkedIn/@Dr. Susan Elias)

Unlike many of her predecessors at St Stephen’s, who came from backgrounds in the humanities and social sciences, Elias is a computer scientist with nearly three decades of experience in engineering education, research and university administration. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering, followed by a Master’s and PhD in Multimedia Technology from Anna University. She also completed postdoctoral research at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, building a strong academic foundation in computing and emerging technologies. (Image: LinkedIn/@Dr. Susan Elias)

Over the years, Elias steadily rose through the ranks of academia. She began her teaching career in Chennai and went on to spend nearly two decades at Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, where she served as professor and head of department. She later joined Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), where she held several senior positions, including Dean of the School of Electronics Engineering and Deputy Director of the Centre for Advanced Data Science. Her work increasingly focused on interdisciplinary research and academic leadership. (Image: LinkedIn/@Dr. Susan Elias)

Before moving to St Stephen’s, she served as Director of Research and Head of the Digital Health and Bio-Innovations Centre at Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science. Most recently, she was Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) at Chandigarh University’s Uttar Pradesh campus. (Image: LinkedIn/@Dr. Susan Elias)

Elias’ research interests span several emerging fields, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, medical imaging, robotics, digital health and explainable AI. Her work has often focused on applying technology to solve real-world healthcare and societal challenges. She has also been associated with research projects supported by organisations such as DRDO, DST and MeitY. (Image: LinkedIn/@Dr. Susan Elias)

Her appointment is being viewed as a signal that St Stephen’s may embrace a stronger focus on interdisciplinary learning and emerging technologies. In interviews following her selection, Elias has spoken about the need for liberal arts institutions to engage more deeply with artificial intelligence and other transformative technologies. (Image: LinkedIn/@Dr. Susan Elias)

Founded in 1881, St Stephen’s College admitted women students only in 1975. More than five decades later, the institution has now appointed its first woman principal. For many observers, the significance of Elias’s appointment represents a shift in how leadership roles in India’s elite educational institutions are evolving, bringing together academic excellence, technological expertise and greater gender representation. (Image: LinkedIn/@Dr. Susan Elias)