Pasadena Resident Nanda Ganesan Honored With Cal State LA Distinguished Professor Award

Nanda Ganesan, a professor of information systems in the College of Business and Economics at Cal State LA, was recognized for his excellence in teaching and outstanding achievements during University Convocation 2024.

A Pasadena resident, Ganesan was presented with a President’s Distinguished Professor Award on Aug. 19 for his superlative teaching, exceptional commitment to students, and professional accomplishments and services.

Ganesan has conducted research, given lectures, and worked in the industry in different countries, including Sri Lanka, Iran, England, Singapore, Japan, and Australia. His current research interests include designing and implementing E-learning systems to enhance student learning experiences.

In addition to publishing 21 articles in refereed journals and 33 articles in conference proceedings, he has given 66 professional presentations and obtained 22 funded grants. Ganesan has also designed and built computer labs in various countries.

Ganesan has served as chair of the Department of Information Systems thrice over the last four decades. During his tenure as the department chair, he co-founded the M.S. in Information Systems Program, one of the earliest graduate programs in information systems in California, and he introduced major curriculum revisions to the undergraduate program. Ganesan has also chaired several committees relating to accreditation, assessment, faculty evaluation, and recruitment and continues to serve as the graduate program advisor.

He is the recipient of numerous 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.

As part of his social service, he has visited refugee camps in India, giving presentations on computing to children in the camps and conducting lectures in institutions in the war-torn areas of Sri Lanka. He also started a Tamil language school in Pasadena for elementary and middle school children.

Ganesan received his Ph.D. in engineering production from the University of Birmingham, England.