San José State University’s College of Information, Data and Society (IDS) proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Mehrdad Aliasgari as its new Dean, effective June 2, 2025. Dr. Aliasgari’s appointment comes during a transformative period for the college as it continues to enhance its influence in applied data science, library and information science, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
Dr. Aliasgari will be joining SJSU from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), where he has served as Chair of the Computer Engineering and Computer Science department since 2019. With a distinguished research portfolio spanning cybersecurity and machine learning and a proven track record in academic leadership, Dr. Aliasgari brings a wealth of experience to help shape the College of IDS as it moves forward into its next phase of growth and innovation. His arrival in June marks a significant moment for the college as it continues to expand its impact in key technological and societal domains.
“Dr. Aliasgari’s appointment is a significant milestone for the College of IDS,” said Dr. Simon Shim, Chair of the Department of Applied Data Science. “His leadership will drive innovation in applied data science education, research, and industry collaboration. With rapid advancements in AI and data intelligence, we look forward to expanding opportunities for our students and faculty, strengthening our impact in Silicon Valley and beyond.”
Interim Dean Michael Meth, who has been guiding the college through this transition, also expressed enthusiasm for Dr. Aliasgari’s leadership:
“The College of IDS is at a defining moment, and Dr. Aliasgari’s expertise and vision will be instrumental in shaping its future. His dedication to interdisciplinary collaboration, student success and inclusive excellence aligns perfectly with our mission to develop the next generation of information and data leaders.”
Dr. Aliasgari is deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in computing. At CSULB, he led initiatives that increased the recruitment and retention of women and historically underrepresented students, resulting in significant enrollment growth. Under his leadership, CSULB also established an interdisciplinary B.S. in Applied Data Science, focusing on real-world applications in areas such as health analytics and computational linguistics.
Reflecting on his new role, Dr. Aliasgari shared his excitement about joining the College of IDS at such a pivotal time:
“I am so excited and honored to be joining the College of Information, Data and Society, a truly innovative, dynamic, and talented community. The College of IDS fosters a diverse and inclusive community of interdisciplinary scholars and practitioners, preparing our graduates to lead with responsible, equitable solutions for societal challenges. I look forward to working together to propel our college as a global leader in shaping a just, equitable, and thriving society through ethical and human-centered innovation in information, data, and AI.”
Dr. Anthony Chow, the Director of the SJSU School of Information, also expressed his enthusiasm for the appointment, emphasizing the opportunities that lie ahead.
“Dr. Aliasgari’s leadership will bring new perspectives and help the College of IDS and the School of Information forge new partnerships, enhance research initiatives, and ensure our students are prepared to lead in a data-driven world.”
With Dr. Aliasgari’s leadership, the College of IDS is poised to strengthen its role as a leader in interdisciplinary education, research, and industry collaboration. His appointment signals a new era of innovation and excellence for the college and the broader SJSU community. Please join us as we welcome Dr. Aliasgari to the College of Information, Data and Society.
