By Annalise Ray

After spending the last 17 years as a faculty member and serving in leadership positions at Georgia Gwinnett College, Dr. Sonal Dekhane recently joined Georgia State University’s family as a faculty member in the Computer Information Systems (CIS) Department. Throughout her career in higher education, she has dedicated time to curriculum development, program assessment and student success.

Now, as part of Georgia State’s CIS Department at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, her mission continues to center around helping students succeed, particularly those from historically underrepresented populations in the computing field.

Dr. Dekhane’s passion for teaching sparked at her alma mater, Tulane University, where she received a Ph.D. in computer science. While leading an introductory computing lab as a teaching assistant, she found immense satisfaction in helping students grasp complex programming concepts which led her to pursue a career in higher education.

“There’s something so rewarding about seeing that light bulb moment when students finally understand something,” she recalled.

Dr. Dekhane’s research interests lie in developing innovative pedagogies that make computer science more accessible to students of all disciplines and backgrounds. She also seeks to understand and address the systemic barriers that prevent underrepresented populations from entering and thriving in the computing field. She wants to understand what those barriers are so universities can overcome them. She emphasizes the importance of being a role model for students from underrepresented communities, demonstrating that they, too, can succeed in computing.

Throughout her career, Dr. Dekhane has been a dedicated mentor to students, guiding them through their academic journeys and practical career development. She’s also taken on projects targeting middle and high school students to introduce them to computing and problem-solving, creating outreach programs aimed at demystifying the field.

Dr. Dekhane’s teaching philosophy focuses on equipping students with foundational skills that they can build on throughout their academic and professional careers. She hopes that her students leave her classes not only with a solid grasp of the material but also with a desire to be lifelong learners.

“If you have a strong foundation, you can keep building on it,” she explained.

Through her mentoring, she also aims to help students discover what unique qualities they possess that will help them stand out in their professional journeys.

In her work on curriculum development, Dr. Dekhane is committed to remaining aware of technological advancements to ensure her courses are aligned with the constantly changing technology industry. She is currently developing a course on the positive uses of generative AI in business, — a testament to her belief in lifelong learning and the importance of a curriculum that’s up to date with the latest professional trends.

Dr. Dekhane’s most impactful experience at Georgia State so far has been the warm reception from students and faculty. She’s appreciated her student’s eager participation and involvement in her courses. While at GSU, she said she hopes to continue her work on student success and utilize her prior experiences to ensure that the university remains a leader in inclusive education.

When she’s not at work, Dr. Dekhane enjoys baking Indian-fusion desserts, traveling and hiking. Her favorite places to visit are the National Parks in the Southwest United States, where she finds peace in the beauty of nature.

Dr. Dekhane’s commitment to student success, diversity and innovation in CIS Curriculum positions her as a great addition to Georgia State University. Her dedication to mentoring and curriculum development strives to push all students, regardless of their background, to have opportunities to succeed.

— Annalise Ray is a graduate student in the Department of English at Georgia State University and graduate administrative assistant for communications in the Office of the Provost.