Shalini Kesar

Professor of Information Systems

  • Cedar City UT UNITED STATES

Specializing in management of electronic commerce, gender equality in computing, and disaster recovery

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Biography

Dr. Shalini Kesar is an associate professor of information systems at Southern Utah University and was previously the director of Bachelors of Interdisciplinary Studies. She has been in front of the classroom for over 15 years, starting as a research assistant for Montfort University in the United Kingdom, she has taught at different universities across the world.

Born in India, Dr. Kesar was raised to value education and pursue the heights of learning. She has found a niche in southern Utah and become a role model while enhancing awareness and motivating girls in considering technology as part of their education and career goals. Her outreach efforts spread to a number of rural counties where skills and resources are limited.

She was recently recognized by the Women Tech Council, receiving the Education Excellence Award at the 2016 Women Tech Awards. The event recognizes technology-focused women who are innovators, leaders and key contributors in STEM fields.

Dr. Kesar earned a BA from the University of Delhi, a MPHIL in information systems from De Montfort University, a MSC in analysis, design and management information systems from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Doctorate in information systems from the University of Salford from UK.

Spotlight

1 min

Dr. Shalini Kesar Among Utah's 30 Women to Watch by Utah Business

Southern Utah University’s Dr. Shalini Kesar has been named one of the 30 Women to Watch by Utah Business for 2021. Recipients of the award include women who are passionate and dedicated to bringing diversity and inclusion to the business and technology world. Celebrating women who are on their way to amazing things, the list includes presidents, CEOs, CFOs, entrepreneurs, authors, and educators in Utah.“It is humbling and an honor to be included with a pool of such talented and empowering women within Utah,” said Dr. Kesar.“Dr. Kesar’s work and passion for elevating women both in higher education and the field of technology is endless,” said a nominator. “She sits on many boards to promote leadership and advancement for women. She is a mentor for women and is fearless in the face of gender equality.”Having spent more than 27 years in front of the classroom, Dr. Kesar currently serves as a professor and director of the Master of Science Cyber Security & Information Assurance program at Southern Utah University.

Shalini Kesar

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Cybersecurity Innovations & Trends in Technology

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month aims to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity in the United States. Phishing, ransomware, identity theft, and video conferencing being among the most prevalent vulnerabilities in cybersecurity. Dr. Shalini Kesar, associate professor of information systems at Southern Utah University, will join with other professionals and students in the field for a panel discussion celebrating National Cybersecurity Awareness Month on October 9 from 4-6 p.m. MST. “With the new ‘normal,’ phishing, ransomware, identity theft, and video conferencing vulnerabilities are some of the most prevalent cybersecurity issues and we will continuously deal with them,” said Dr. Kesar. “Hear what our students and industry members have to say about innovative and trends in technology as well as their implications on Oct 9. Let’s increase awareness about ‘good’ cybersecurity practices for National Cyber Awareness Month."Panelists include Nathan Wilkey (chief information security officer, 3M Heath Care), John McGloughlin (CEO, Guardsight, Inc.), Chris Stucker (associate director of Identity and Access Management, University of Utah), Dr. Shalini Kesar (associate professor of information systems, SUU), Parker Hannifin (information systems with networking undergraduate, SUU), and Rylan Wallace (information systems with cyber undergraduate, SUU).Panelists will share their experiences and perspectives on innovations and trends of technology, which invariably has an impact on risks, threats, and vulnerabilities. Register for the webinar at register.gotowebinar.com/register/4299506489614837515.

Shalini Kesar

2 min

Opportunities for Girls to Explore Computing and Technology

Since 2013, Southern Utah Aspirations, a National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) chapter, has been conducting outreach projects to honor high school girls from rural and remote counties who are actively pursuing and interested in computing and technology.The main goal of NCWIT Aspirations to is encourage high school students who self-identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary for their computing-related achievements and interests, and encourages them to pursue their passions. Award recipients are selected based on their aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing, as demonstrated by their computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, tenacity in the face of barriers to access, and plans for post-secondary education.Dr. Shalini Kesar, associate professor of information systems at Southern Utah University, has been the driving force behind the Southern Utah Aspirations chapter since 2013. “Outreach projects like these not only increase awareness but also show the female students the education and career opportunities in computing,” said Dr. Kesar. Southern Utah Aspirations includes girls from across 20 counties in Utah and east Nevada. The program has grown to include Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sevier, Washington, Wayne, Grand, Carbon, Emery, San Pete, and Juab counties in Utah, and Lincoln, White Pine, Elko, Lander, & Eureka counties in Nevada. In the last six years, more than 700 applicants from various high schools have applied to the free online competition. This year, with the support of parents and educators, 123 high school females competed, showcasing their talents, aptitude, and aspirations in technology and computing. There are a total of 80 NCWIT Aspirations within the USA, that are sponsored by various industries including Apple and Bank of America.NCWIT Aspirations provides technical girls and women with ongoing engagement, visibility, and encouragement for their computing-related interests and achievements from high school through college and into the workforce. These opportunities allow women of the community to strengthen their leadership, technical, and entrepreneurial skills, further preparing and motivating them to participate in the computing workforce.

Shalini Kesar
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Social

Industry Expertise

Computer/Network Security
Education/Learning
Information Services

Areas of Expertise

Women in Computing & IT
Technology Disaster Recovery
Gender gap in STEM Fields
Electronic Governance
Network Administration
Cybersecurity
Women in Computing and It
Cybercrime
Gender Equality
Computer Ethics
Women in Technology
Project Management
Gender Equality in Higher Education
Mentoring for Women in Higher Education
Electronic Commerce
Diversity & Inclusion in Higher Education

Education

University of Salford, UK

Ph.D.

Information Systems

De Montfort University

MPhil.

Information Systems

London School of Economics and Political Science

M.Sc.

Analysis, Design and Management Information Systems

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Accomplishments

Distinguished Service Award Winner

Utah Women in Higher Education Network , 2021

Carl Perkins Service Award

Utah Association of Career and Technology, 2017

Education Excellence Award

Women Tech Council, 2016

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Affiliations

  • National Center for Women & Information Technology
  • Utah Women in Higher Education Network
  • Association of Information Systems
  • Association of Computing & Machinery
  • AIS Special Interest Group of Network & Internet Security
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Media Appearances

Dr. Shalini Kesar Receives 2023 UWHEN Mentorship Award

SUU News  online

2023-04-20

Southern Utah University’s Dr. Shalini Kesar, professor of information systems, was recently awarded the 2023 Utah Women in Higher Education Network (UWHEN) Mentorship Award for her work on behalf of women in Utah. Dr. Kesar was presented with the award at the 2023 UWHEN Annual Leadership Conference.

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New programs seek to increase number of women in tech careers

Iron County Today  online

2019-03-15

In celebration of International Women’s Day last Friday, several local organizations collaborated to provide a Women and Technology luncheon at Southwest Technical College.

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STEM Needs Girls and Girls Need STEM

Boys & Girls Clubs of America  online

2019-03-08

In the Microsoft research report “Closing the STEM Gap,” Dr. Shalini Kesar, Associate Professor of Information Systems at Southern Utah University writes, “Despite the high priority placed on STEM and computer science education across the United States, the fact remains that only a fraction of girls and women are likely to pursue STEM degrees and careers... Failing to bring the minds and perspectives of half the population to STEM and computer science fields stifles innovation and makes it less likely that we can solve today’s social challenges at scale.”

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Articles

Including teaching ethics into pedagogy: preparing information systems students to meet global challenges of real business settings

ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society

2016-09-01

This paper's discusses five real business capstone projects that were designed to provide an educational experiential learning to include ethics and professionalism in the pedagogy. This class comprised senior undergraduate Computer Science (CS) and Information Systems (IS) students. The projects involved teamwork and lasted fifteen weeks. The aim of the capstone curriculum was to foster a teaching environment to: 1) include interdisciplinary partnership among university departments; 2) cultivate local industry alliances; 3) encourage students' analysis and synthesis of skills and knowledge in a real business setting project. The National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE) practices were used while developing the curriculum and their eight Guiding Principles of Ethical Practices are used to describe the initial findings and lesson learned.

Using Triple Loop Learning in Context ofManagement of Information Systems Security

Ethicomp Internal Conference Proceedings

Taking into account various studies on the increasing problem of computer crime within organizations, the researcher argues that management of such crimes requires an equal focus on technical, formal and, informal (social) issues associated with Information Technology (IT). This is because focusing on the technical issues only provides a partial solution while managing such crimes. While understanding management of computer crime, this paper contributes to provide a different perspective by using the organizational theory, Triple Loop Learning (TLL).

Is cybercrime one of the weakest links in electronic government

Journal of International Commerce Law and Technology

Kesar, Shalini

2011

This paper provides an insight to the increasing problem of cybercrime in the context of electronic government. It takes examples from the UK government to argue that it is no longer possible to just rely on technical controls while securing electronic government transactions. Reports and studies reflect that illicit acts such as cybercrime are predominantly the result of not only disregard for basic information security and but also lack of awareness about the importance of social issues associated with information technology. Consequently, focusing on the technical controls provides only a partial solution while managing cybercrime particularly in electronic government context.

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Courses

CSIS 1000 Intro Computer Apps & Internet

Designed to explore concepts of microcomputer systems. Concepts include: windows and general information, word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentations, and the Internet. Students gain proficiency with the basic command structures of each application in an integrated office suite.

CSIS 2600 Data Communications/Networking

Designed as a telecommunications and networking foundation in network connectivity, data communication concepts and communication protocols. Students learn to analyze cost-benefits and to evaluate, select, and implement different communication options.

CSIS 2670 Information Security & Assurance

Introduces students to the management, technical, and administrative aspects of Information Security. Includes legal and ethical issues, risk management, technical and physical security.

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