SUU Cybersecurity Master’s Director Recognized Among Utah’s Premier Female Leaders
Published: May 12, 2026 | Author: Kierstin Holloway | Read Time: 2 minutes
Southern Utah University (SUU) is proud to announce that Dr. Shalini Kesar has recently been recognized both by the CISO Whisperer as one of the “Female Cybersecurity Leaders to Watch in Utah” and as a repeat honoree of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Utah for 2026 by Women We Admire.
As both a professor of cybersecurity and the director of the Master's in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance program, Dr. Kesar has had a profound impact on the southern Utah communities and the Walter Maxwell Gibson College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (College of STEM). Kesar is also one of the co-founders and president of the Women in Cybersecurity Utah chapter, a platform to provide leadership opportunities for aspiring cybersecurity leaders.
Dr. Kesar's innovative approach to the CSIA curriculum and delivery has been critical to the success of this program,” said Dr. William Heyborne, SUU’s dean of the WMG College of STEM. “Her connections with industry partners have allowed us to bring the latest and greatest from industry into the program.”
Kesar has worked over the past 17 years to spearhead an outreach program that caters to high school students in rural Utah, in an effort to create a unique pipeline for students to pursue IT and Cybersecurity education.
CISCO credited Kesar for standing out for the connections she creates in cybersecurity education and rural outreach. They highlighted Kesar’s efforts as an important leadership figure in Utah’s long-term cyber talent ecosystem.
“Dr. Kesar's contributions to the WMG College of STEM are innumerable,” said Dr. Heyborne. As a senior faculty member, she has long been a contributor to the education of our students. But, in addition to her work in the classroom and her careful mentoring of students, she oversees every aspect of the CSIA program. Additionally, her Outreach MAD project and supervision of an Aspirations in Computing chapter extend her reach far beyond SUU and into K-12 classrooms throughout the state.”
About SUU’s Master of Science in Cyber Security
The Master of Science in Cyber Security and Information Assurance program at SUU offers multiple emphases for students to choose from to gain valuable real-world experience with innovative tools and technology used to combat cybercrime. Courses are taught by experienced professors with industry experience. The 100 percent online coursework emphasizes advanced leadership skills that can prepare you to manage elite cybersecurity teams.
Contact Information
Brooke Heath
435-586-5400
brookeheath1@suu.edu