Education is not the preparation for life; education is life itself. This quote by John Dewey perfectly embodies Dr. Nanda Ganesan, whose lifelong dedication to education has shaped his journey from an early age. As the child of educators, Dr. Ganesan witnessed firsthand the transformative power of knowledge and the opportunities it provides.
Dr. Ganesan is the recipient of the 2025 Wang Family Excellence Award, which honors four outstanding faculty members and one staff member for their extraordinary commitment, achievements, and contributions to higher education. Reflecting on this recognition, he states, "Receiving this award honors my 40 years as a faculty member, chair, advisor and mentor in Information Systems."
His passion for academia was deeply influenced by his mother, a trailblazer in the 1940s as a physics instructor and high school principal. Inspired by her legacy, he pursued a doctorate degree, engaged in groundbreaking research, established state-of-the-art labs, and spearheaded new degree programs at Cal State LA. A fun fact: Dr. Ganesan was one of the early faculty members to join the Computer Information Systems department at Cal State LA when it was founded.
With great success comes challenges, and throughout his career, Dr. Ganesan has faced obstacles in every academic position he has held. However, instead of giving up, he navigated these difficulties with resilience, using them as opportunities for growth. As a department chair, he prioritized advocating for faculty, securing resources for students, and ensuring that student success remained at the forefront of his mission. He believes mentorship and leadership are key to empowering the next generation, and he continuously adapts his teaching by staying current with new technologies, listening to students’ needs, and working with faculty. “Listening and being present for both staff and students helps bridge gaps and allows me to take direct action where it’s needed,” he explains.
Every year Dr. Ganesan gets excited to attend commencement, as it is an opportunity for him to celebrate the achievement of students’ academic success, connect and honor students’ achievements with their love ones and commemorate this moment as he experienced firsthand the sacrifices and hard work students put into this moment to further expand their knowledge.
The rise of artificial intelligence has sparked new excitement in Dr. Ganesan’s research and curriculum development. He actively integrates AI into his teaching methods and encourages students to take advantage of tools like LinkedIn Learning, which offers a wealth of free courses to enhance their knowledge and skills. He sees adapting to technological advancements as fulfilling, as it brings renewed energy to his field, strengthens curriculum, and expands opportunities for students.
In today’s evolving educational landscape, academia faces challenges ranging from federal policies to rising costs and questions of relevance. Dr. Ganesan believes that now, more than ever, institutions must design curricula that meet the needs of students and prepare them for the shifting job market. While he acknowledges the benefits of online and hybrid learning models, he remains an advocate for in-person education, emphasizing that some aspects of learning cannot be fully replicated in a virtual setting. However, he also recognizes the importance of meeting students where they are, ensuring that they are equipped for success in an ever-changing world.
Over the four decades of his career at Cal State LA, he received numerous awards, including the Wang Family Excellence Award, the President’s Distinguished Professor Award, the Fulbright Award from the State Department, the Innovation Award from the California State Students Association of CSU, and the Outstanding Teaching Award, Outstanding Service Award, and Outstanding Instructional Innovation Award from the College of Business and Economics
Dr. Ganesan’s unwavering dedication to education, innovation, and student success continues to shape the future of academia—one student at a time.