USD Welcomes Nikhil Yadav, PhD, as Computer Science Department Chair

Nikhil Yadav, PhD

Nikhil Yadav, PhD, has been appointed as the new Chair of the Computer Science department at the University of San Diego's (USD) Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, effective January 1, 2025. This promotion comes shortly after Dr. Yadav joined USD as an associate professor in Fall 2024, bringing expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science.

We sat down with Dr. Yadav to discuss his vision for the department.

Q: What inspired you to take on the role of department chair?
A: Throughout my academic career, I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact of strong leadership on faculty development, student engagement and curriculum evolution. I was inspired to take on this role as an opportunity to drive this forward by empowering my colleagues, supporting innovation, collaborative teaching and research. It is also inspiring to be a part of the student academic journey, ensuring that they are equipped for challenges in the real world while receiving a world-class education.

Q: What unique vision do you bring to the computer science department?
A: My vision for the department is to elevate our national footprint and reputation in computer science education and innovation. This can be achieved through experiential learning experiences and strategic industry partnerships. I would like to help us achieve this by promoting a culture of inclusivity and academic programs with a long-term vision on what the future of work will demand of graduating computer science professionals. A goal towards meeting this would be to create an environment of agile adaptability for faculty and students to thrive in the rapidly evolving knowledge landscape in our field.   

Q: How do you plan to address the rapidly evolving nature of computer science in the department's curriculum?
A: Being dynamic and quick to respond to the needs of the evolution in this field will be of paramount importance. Employing continuous curriculum evaluations would go a long way in identifying emerging trends in AI, cybersecurity, quantum computing and other cutting-edge technologies. In this changing landscape, the process, guided by industry needs, will ensure that our students graduate with relevant and in-demand skills.   

Additionally, building on more project-based experiential learning experiences in coursework, while encouraging students to work on real-world problems through internships and capstones will better prepare them for both academia and industry roles. Finally, the future of computing is going to be increasingly cross domain. Interdisciplinary collaborations with fields like data science, business, life sciences, etc. will go a long way in exploring joint programs allowing students to apply their knowledge across fields.

Q: What strategies do you have for fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among faculty and students?
A: Innovation and entrepreneurship are best served by encouraging students to take risks and celebrate research exploration and experimentation. This culture is best established through industry partnerships and connecting faculty and students to startup accelerators, venture capitalists and corporate research initiatives. There are various opportunities on campus including TECh (Torero Entrepreneurship Challenge), which give students the opportunity to pitch their ideas and prototypes to the right audience. 

I would also like to point students to resources on campus for tech commercialization, intellectual property and startup management — this could be in the form of existing courses or newer curriculum we can integrate focused on engineering entrepreneurship. Finally, I would like to ensure that novel ideas are nurtured and supported through student innovation challenges, hackathons, faculty seed grants and open forums.  

Q: How will you approach balancing the department's focus between theoretical computer science and practical, industry-relevant skills?
A: Maintaining a curriculum that integrates strong theoretical backgrounds with hands-on experiential learning is the way to do this. Making sure the core curriculum has a strong theoretical computer science foundation, including algorithms, logic, systems, complexity theory etc., will help students deeply appreciate these principles, while adding on to this base knowledge by learning newer emerging technologies. I should emphasize that practical skills also need to be developed by accompanying the theoretical underpinning with project-based learning, internships and industry collaborations into coursework. Forming a formidable partnership with campus career services to find opportunities for students will be important in making sure we can effectively match demands to student skills. 

Another approach I would like to explore is in supporting more faculty to develop collaborations with industry for sponsored projects that students can be involved in. All of these steps would make for the right balance between theory and practice and create a seamless segue between the two.

Q: Prior to joining USD, you facilitated ABET accreditation at St. John’s University in New York. Is ABET accreditation part of USD’s vision for the department?
A: Yes, ABET serves as a benchmark for academic excellence, ensures industry alignment and enhances our graduates' career opportunities. This will lift the department’s reputation, making our programs more attractive to prospective students, employers and funding agencies. ABET accreditation provides the valuable opportunity for continuous improvement by encouraging regular curriculum assessment, faculty development and alumni and industry engagement. Pursuing this aligns with my ultimate vision to keep our programs cutting edge, world class and produce highly skilled and in-demand graduates in computer science.


Dean Chell Roberts praises Dr. Yadav's appointment, stating, "In the rapidly evolving landscape of computer science, we need a leader who not only understands what it is to be on the cutting edge, but someone who helps to shape it. Nikhil has an immense ability to bridge theoretical foundations with practical applications, inspiring both students and colleagues alike. With him at the helm, I'm confident we'll continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in this digital age."

By Michelle Sztupkay