Nanda Ganesan, an information systems professor at Cal State LA, will be presented the California State University’s (CSU) Wang Family Excellence Award for Outstanding Faculty Teaching.
Ganesan is one of only four faculty and one staff member in the 23 CSU campuses to be selected this year. The award honors faculty and staff for unwavering commitment to student achievement and advancing the system’s mission through excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Ganesan, a Pasadena resident. “This award acknowledges my four decades of commitment to students as a professor, advisor, mentor, and department chair, dedicated to shaping their lives and empowering them with the knowledge and confidence to pursue successful careers.”
As part of the recognition, Ganesan will receive a $20,000 award that is provided through a gift from CSU Trustee Emeritus Stanley T. Wang and administered through the CSU Foundation.
Ganesan and the other honorees will be recognized today, January 28, during the CSU Board of Trustees meeting at the Office of the Chancellor in Long Beach.
“From my experience working in various institutions across six countries, the CSU system stands out for providing faculty the freedom to innovate and the resources to bring their ideas to life,” Ganesan said. “The students at Cal State LA reward us amply with their yearning for learning and their gratitude. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been blessed with a fulfilling career at Cal State LA that I enjoy and cherish deeply.”
In a nominating letter, Cal State LA President Berenecea Johnson Eanes praised Ganesan for displaying a spirit of excellence in teaching and outstanding leadership in his field of expertise.
“Dr. Ganesan embodies the qualities of an exemplary educator, continuously advancing teaching practices, fostering academic growth, and making significant contributions to the learning environment at Cal State LA,” said President Eanes.
Demonstrating outstanding leadership throughout his tenure at Cal State LA, Ganesan has served as chair of the Department of Information Systems multiple times. He has also chaired several committees relating to accreditation, assessment, faculty evaluation, and recruitment and continues to serve as the graduate program advisor.
Throughout his career, Professor Ganesan has been recognized for his steadfast commitment to creative and innovative teaching practice. He has consistently revised and developed programs and curriculum to align with industry advancements and student needs.
Most recently, he spearheaded a comprehensive update to the bachelor’s degree in computer information systems at Cal State LA, introducing three critical specializations in cybersecurity, data analytics, and software development. He has also co-founded the master’s degree in information systems program, one of the earliest graduate programs in information systems in California, and two computer labs for hands-on learning. He also redesigned the university’s management information systems course, which received one of the highest recognitions for online course quality.
Ganesan emphasized that in the field of information technology (IT), the curriculum is the cornerstone for preparing students for successful careers. As the department chair, he prioritized curriculum innovation, effective teaching, experiential learning, and compassionate mentoring as the four pillars of a student-centered approach to education.
He added that educating students for fulfilling careers with a service-oriented mindset positively impacts all aspects of their lives, including their relationships with family and friends and their contributions to society and the environment.
Ganesan’s dedication to scholarship of teaching extends beyond his classroom responsibilities, reflecting a deep commitment to advancing teaching practices through research and professional engagement. He has extensively published on effective teaching methodologies, focusing on online and hybrid learning models.
Ganesan also shares his insights on educational and technological advancements both nationally and internationally. He has conducted research, given lectures, and worked in the industry in different countries, including Sri Lanka, Iran, England, Singapore, Japan, and Australia. His most recent publications delve into the integration of cloud computing and online resources in e-learning environments, illustrating his ongoing pursuit to translate research into practical applications that benefit the students.
Last year, he was presented with the Cal State LA President’s Distinguished Professor Award. He is also the recipient of numerous other awards, including the Fulbright Award from the U.S. Department of State, the Innovation in Technology Award from the Cal State Student Association, the Assigned Time for Exceptional Service to Students Award, and the Outstanding Professor Award from Cal State LA. He also received the Outstanding Teaching Award, Outstanding Service Award, and Outstanding Instructional Innovation Award from the College of Business and Economics.
Ganesan earned his Ph.D. in engineering production from the University of Birmingham, England.
Introduced in 1998, the Wang Family Excellence Awards recognize CSU faculty members who have distinguished themselves through high-quality teaching and excellence in their area of expertise. The awards also acknowledge a staff member whose contributions go above and beyond expectations.
Past Cal State LA recipients of the esteemed Wang Awards include David Blekhman, professor of technology; Martin G. Brodwin, emeritus professor of special education and counseling; Stanley M. Burstein, emeritus professor of history; Carlos G. Gutiérrez, emeritus professor of chemistry; and the late Raymond B. Landis, former dean of the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology.
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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 24,000 students and has more than 250,000 distinguished alumni.
