Ahmad Esmaili Wins SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching

Esmaili poses with SBU President and Wolfie (the Seawolf Mascot)
Left to right: Senior Lecturer Ahmad Esmaili, SBU President Andrea Goldsmith, Wolfie.

Ahmad Esmaili, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Undergraduate Program Director for Information Systems, has been selected for the 2024-2025 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award acknowledges Esmaili's well-earned reputation as an exceptional educator who transforms student learning through innovative, data-driven approaches.

Year after year, Esmaili has earned outstanding praise from students across his many popular courses, including CSE 114 (Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming), ISE 311 (Systems Administration), and CSE 214 (Data Structures and Algorithms). In course evaluations, students consistently remark on his ability to make complex programming concepts accessible while maintaining rigorous academic standards. Students particularly appreciate his integration of real-world industry projects and his use of learning analytics to personalize instruction and improve outcomes.

Since joining Stony Brook in 2001, Esmaili has pioneered new approaches in foundational computer science courses by implementing industry-aligned projects, collaborative problem-solving exercises, and real-time assessment analytics. This, combined with his data-driven approach to curriculum development, has significantly improved student engagement and better prepared students for professional careers in technology. His innovative teaching methodology recently earned him the Excellence in Educational Effectiveness Award, recognizing his commitment to assessment-driven instruction.

Esmaili poses wearing a medal and holding a certificate
Senior Lecturer Ahmad Esmaili

Esmaili’s leadership extends beyond the classroom. As the ISE Undergraduate Program Director, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the program’s direction and development. He has been honored with a Certificate of Recognition in Assessment and a Letter of Appreciation for Exceptional University Service, acknowledging his dedication, invaluable contributions, and unwavering commitment to academic excellence and cross-cultural engagement.

Congratulations to Ahmad Esmaili on this well-deserved recognition by SUNY for his outstanding contributions to computer science education and his dedication to student success at Stony Brook University.