Dr. Shalini Kesar is a Professor of Cybersecurity and the Program Director for the Master of Science in Cyber Security and Information Assurance (MS-CSIA) at Southern Utah University (SUU). With over 30 years of experience in higher education, she is a leading expert in cybersecurity governance, risk management, and the advancement of women in technology.

She also serves as Professor of Cybersecurity, teaching and research focused on cybersecurity governance and risk management. Her long tenure at Southern Utah University is complemented by outreach work through the OutreachMAD Project, which focuses on building a student pipeline in K-12, especially in rural Utah. She stands out for the way she connects cybersecurity education, rural outreach, and workforce development, making her an important leadership figure in Utah’s long-term cyber talent ecosystem.

Dr. Kesar was recognized as one of the “2026 Top Leaders of Utah” by Women We Admire