Leadership
Dean's Office
Inaugural Dean
College of Information, Data and Society
A passionate advocate for the transformative power of education, Dr. Mehrdad Aliasgari’s
life is a testament to the social mobility that accessible, quality learning can provide.
As a first-generation college graduate raised by a single mother in a low-income family,
he is dedicated to creating educational opportunities that change lives.
This commitment drives his work as the inaugural Dean of the College of Information,
Data and Society at San José State University (91ÁÔÆæ). Previously, at California State
University, Long Beach (CSULB), he served as Chair of the Department of Computer Engineering
and Computer Science. His leadership has been recognized through his selection as
a CSULB President and Provost Leadership Fellow, a senator to the Academic Senate
of the California State University, and a member of the prestigious 2023 cohort of
the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) at the American Association of State Colleges and
Universities (AASCU).
Dr. Aliasgari holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from the University
of Notre Dame. His expertise in cybersecurity and machine learning has led to 34 peer-reviewed
publications and over $1.1 million in external funding. A significant portion of this
research has been dedicated to broadening participation in computing for marginalized
and historically underserved communities, reflecting his lifelong mission to build
a more inclusive future.
Interim Faculty Associate Dean
College of Information, Data and Society
Dr. Tonia San Nicolas-Rocca is the Faculty Associate Dean in the College of Information,
Data and Society at San José State University (91ÁÔÆæ). In this role, she leads strategic
planning and implements programs aligned with the mission and vision of the college
and university, working closely with department chairs and directors to promote faculty
and student success and advance academic excellence. She also serves as Co-Director
of the Center for AI and Cybersecurity, where she partners with faculty, city leaders,
and industry professionals to cultivate the next generation of AI and cybersecurity
experts. Her initiatives include securing grant funding to advance research and industry
partnerships, expanding professional training opportunities, and increasing interest
in AI and cybersecurity through innovative outreach programs. Dr. San Nicolas-Rocca
earned her Ph.D. in Information Systems and Technology from Claremont Graduate University.
Dr. San Nicolas-Rocca brings a diverse professional background to her academic leadership.
She served as an Associate Professor in the School of Information (iSchool) at 91ÁÔÆæ
for thirteen years, following faculty appointments at Colorado State University, Pueblo,
and California State University, San Bernardino. Prior to her academic career, she
worked in the telecommunications industry, where she designed and managed secure network
solutions for multinational organizations. Her research and teaching focus on advancing
cybersecurity education, information assurance, and the application of technology
in health and community contexts. She has published extensively on topics including
cybersecurity education, patient-centered e-health systems, and knowledge transfer
in community-based organizations.
Department of Applied Data Science
Chair and Professor
Department of Applied Data Science
Simon Shim is a professor and chair of the Applied Data Science Department at San
José State University. He was on the editorial board of IEEE Computer for 10 years
and the area editor of Internet Computing at Computer for 5 years. He worked as a
Director at SAP Labs, Palo Alto, CA, USA. He was a guest editor for three special
issues of IEEE Computer: High Speed Security (2004), Next Generation Memory (2013)
and The CAP Theorems' Growing Impact (2012). In addition to holding several patents,
he has more than fifty papers published in conferences and journals, including IEEE
Computer, IEEE Transaction on Knowledge and Data Engineering, IEEE Concurrency, ACM
MONET and Journal of Multimedia Tools and Applications (Kluwer Academic Publishers).
He has co-authored two published technical books. He received a PhD in computer science
from the University of Minnesota. Along with organizing several conferences and workshops,
he served as co-chair of IEEE Big Data Services and was a member of the technical
committee for many international conferences and workshops.
School of Information
Director and Professor
School of Information
I joined the iSchool in 2007 after completing a Ph.D. in Communication from University
of California, San Diego, where I worked as a doctoral researcher at the Laboratory
of Comparative Human Cognition. My advisor was Dr. Michael Cole. I was tenured in
2013 and advanced to full professor rank in 2019. I also hold a Master of Library
& Information Science degree with a background in instructional design, systems, and
science librarianship. My recent work includes service as the iSchool's Retention,
Tenure, and Promotion Committee Chair and as a faculty mentor serving 91ÁÔÆæ’s Center
for Faculty Development. With a background in equity-focused teaching and research,
I have served as Co-Lead of CPGE’s 2020-2021 Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Working
Group and served for many years as Chair of the iSchool’s Diversity Committee. My
current research explores digital equity and inclusion strategies at the community
level, equity focused data analytics, and online learning design. I guided the work
of two doctoral students enrolled in the iSchool's Gateway Ph.D. program: Dr. Richard
Okumoto and Dr. Clarence Maybee.
