Dr. Swati Mehta

                                       

Contact Information:

Dr. Swati Mehta
5005 N. Maple Ave. M/S ED 345, Fresno, CA 93740-8025 | 224.730.6205 | swati@csufresno.edu | mehtaswati.com | @swati1201

SHORT BIOGRAPHY

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Liberal Studies at California State University, Fresno. I was a postdoctoral researcher in Snap Inc. Institute for Technology and Education at California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson. I have a doctorate in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology from Michigan State University. I was a 2023 Community for Advancing Discovery Research in Education (CADRE) fellow. As a critical scholar, I employ culturally responsive and sustainable lenses to understand the racialized experiences of underserved student groups in computer science and STEM disciplines. In my teaching and research, I urge teachers and computer science faculty to practice culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogies in teaching. I am working with colleagues at CSUDH to foster equity and broaden participation in computer science education by improving teacher capacity at the K-12 level; by offering teacher credentialing programs at the university-level; and by building college of education faculty’s capacity to integrate technology and computing in their courses. I have experience working on an NSF(STEM+C) funded project that used culturally situated design tools (csdt.org) to develop a math and computing curriculum for P-8 students by intersecting math, science, and computing concepts with the cultural practices of Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. As part of an NSF-ECE funded research project, I worked with first-generation, minoritized Hispanic mechanical engineering students in the California valley to stress the use of case studies and design thinking principles to help students smoothly transition into their capstone courses. In addition to being part of multiple research projects, I also facilitated research and online presence of MSU-Wipro Urban STEM & Leadership Teaching Fellowship Program, a project that worked with Chicago Public School district teachers to help them learn how to manipulate and use technology (using the TPACK framework) to foster teaching and learning.

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology (2021)
Michigan State University

Graduate Certification in Science Education (2018)
Michigan State University

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Operations Management and Information Technology (2010)
Devi Ahilya University, Indore

Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science (2008)
Rajiv Gandhi Technical University, Bhopal

 UNIVERSITY TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Assistant Professor, Department of Liberal Studies, California State University, Fresno

CI100: Educational Applications of Technology: Fall 2023
CI162: Understanding Children, Learning, and Development in TK-8: Spring 2024

Adjunct Faculty, Department of Computer Science, California State University, Dominguez Hills
CSC395-63: Algorithms & Software Design and Computer Science Methods: Fall 2022, Summer 2023

Guest Lecturer, Department of Liberal Studies, California State University, Dominguez Hills

LBS405: Engineering and the Arts in the Elementary Classroom: Fall 2023

Adjunct Faculty, Kremen School of Education and Human Development, Fresno State University

CI 149: Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology in the Secondary classroom: Spring 2023

CI 246: Action Research in the Multicultural Classroom: Capstone Project and Dissemination (Graduate level): Fall 2021, Fall 2022
CI 152: Adolescent Learning & Development (seminar, teaching credential course): Spring 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2022

Instructor of Record, College of Education, Michigan State University

CEP 818: Creativity in Teaching and Learning (Graduate Level): Fall 2019, Fall 2018
CEP 416: Teaching and Learning with Technology (Undergraduate Level): Spring 2020, Fall 2019, Summer 2018.
CEP822: Approaches to Educational Research (CEP822; Graduate Level): Summer 2018
TE150: Reflection on Learning (Global Educators Cohort Program; Undergraduate level): Spring 2018
TE150: Reflection on Learning (General Section, Undergraduate level): Fall 2017

Teaching Assistant, College of Education, Michigan State University

TE150: Reflection on Learning (Online; Undergraduate level): Spring 2019
CEP800: Psychology of Learning in School and Other Settings (Graduate Level): Fall 2018
CEP820: Teaching Students Online (Graduate Level) – Summer 2017

COLLEGE & K-12 TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Lecturer, Malwa Institute of Technology (MIT) – Master’s Level students

Courses: Information Technology, SQL, C++, Database Management Systems, Operations Research, and Operations Management (2012-2013)

Teacher, Middle and high school students in local schools in Indore, India (2009-2010).

FACILITATOR: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP

Mehta, S. (2017, August). Planning to Transition to Teaching in the U.S. – An Introduction to U.S. and Michigan State University Student Culture & Teaching Policies. Teacher professional development workshop under Dr. Melissa McDaniels, Assistant Dean, The Graduate School & in collaboration with 20 peer facilitators.

Mehta, S. (2017, May). Youth Educators Society (YES) Conference. Young Educators Society Michigan Chapter. Youth College Readiness workshop under Dr. Sonya Gunnings-Moton, Associate Dean, Support Services & Engagement, College of Education, Michigan State University and in collaboration with 10 peer facilitators.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

July 2022-July 2023: Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Liberal Studies, California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA.

Team Leads: Dr. Mike Karlin, Assistant Professor, Department of Liberal Studies, California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA.

Project: Snap Inc. Institute of Technology and Education (SITE) (Snap Inc. Grant)

• Working on multiple projects to foster equity and broaden participation in computer science education by improving teacher capacity at the K-12 level to teach computer science in Los Angeles Unified School districts; to bolster the universities capacity to offer teacher educator credentialing programs in computer science education; and to build college of education faculty’s capacity to integrate computer science concepts in their courses.
• Working on grants, IRB applications, journal publications, conference papers and presentations.

Summer-Fall 2020: Research Assistant – Curriculum developer, School of Information, University of Michigan

Team Leads: Dr. Ron Eglash, Professor, School of Information, University of Michigan; Dr. Michael Lachney, Assistant Professor, Michigan State University

Project: VISTA: Virtual Inclusive Studios for working across all school grades (NSF STEM+C grant)

• Working with Dr. Eglash and Dr. Lachney to develop computer science curriculum around the culturally situated design tools found on csdt.org website (a virtual STEM+C multicultural studio suite).
• Background of the project: Dr. Eglash and his CSDT team are the creators of the CSDT web application tools that are being used by students and organizations across the globe, like, the Exploring Computer Science (ECS) program, in schools in Upstate New York, and so on. These web tools allow students to learn about “heritage algorithms” of their interest through African, Indigenous, Mexican, Arabic, and Indian cultural practices and learn their connection to STEM principles. These tools allow children to use math and computing principles to simulate the patterns of cornrow braid styles, Appalachian & Lakota quilting designs, Mexican bead looms, Arabic and Indian henna designs, and many more other cultural design practices.

Spring 2019-Spring 2020: Research Assistant, College of Education, Michigan State University
Team Lead: Dr. Michael Lachney, Assistant Professor, Michigan State University

Project: Programming Identities: Educational Technologists Perceptions and Beliefs about Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

• Conducting interviews with software developers and educational technologists to understand their beliefs and perceptions concerning issues of equity, diversity, and inclusivity in CS education, with specific attention to how these issues inform software design and development.
• Working with Dr. Lachney on the Institutional Review Board (IRB) application involving the development of the interview protocol and questions, consent form, and fulfilling all the requirements of the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP).
• Working on data analysis, journal articles, and conference proposals and presentations.

Fall 2015 – Summer 2019: Research Assistant, College of Education, Michigan State University
Team Leads: Dr. Aman Yadav, Professor, Michigan State University and co-lead Dr. Ashlie Martini, Associate Professor, University of California, Merced

Project: Case-Based Instruction in Engineering Education (CaBIE)

• • Working on grants, research projects and papers that use case studies to introduce design thinking to first-generation and underrepresented students to help them transition from classroom and lab-based learning to engineering capstone design and ultimately to their careers in engineering fields.
  • Developing pre- and post-test surveys for analyzing design thinking conceptions of students.
  • Developing case studies that use designing thinking to expand engineering students’ view of problem formulation and solution development.
  • Leading data analysis, journals articles, grant proposals, and conference proposals and presentations.

Fall 2015- Spring 2017: Research Assistant, College of Education, Michigan State University
Project Directors: Dr. Sonya Gunnings-Moton, Dr. Punya Mishra, and Dr. Leigh Graves Wolf

Project: Michigan State University Urban STEM (MSUrbanSTEM) Leadership program

• Worked on research papers on teacher’s creation of STEM lesson plans and combining and reinventing TPACK and STEM teaching.
• Worked on designing curriculum activities for teachers around maker education and STEM teaching.
• Worked on data analysis, conference proposals, and conference presentations.
• Managing online presence of MSUrbanSTEM (2015 and 2016 cohorts) and the MSUrbanSTEM main website.

JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS

Minaiy, M., Mehta, S., Liao, Y.C., & Karlin, M. (2023). “Formulating a holistic view of computer science education”: Exploring K-12 Teacher Experiences in a Computer Science Authorization Pathway. Computer Science Education. (Manuscript Submitted).

Karlin, M., Liao, Y.C, Mehta, S., Iqbal, A., Minaiy, M., Son, M., & Panya, J.Z. (2023). Addressing Equity Issues in Elementary Computer Science Education: Knowns, Unknowns, and Implications for Future Work. Journal of Computer Science Integration. (Manuscript Submitted).

Mehta, S., Minaiy, M., & Karlin, M. (2023). Building Capacity in K-12 Computer Science Education: In-Service Teacher Experiences in a Supplementary Authorization Program. International Journal of Computer Science Education in Schools. (Manuscript submitted).

Karlin, M., Liao, Y.C., & Mehta, S. (2023) Exploring computer science understanding and rationales in preservice teacher pathways through faculty professional development. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2023.2174623

Yadav, A., Alexander, V., & Mehta, S. (2019). Case-based instruction in undergraduate engineering: Does student confidence predict learning? International Journal of Engineering Education, 35(1A), 25-34.

Seals, C., Mehta, S., Berzina-Pitcher, I., & Graves-Wolf, L. (2017). Enhancing teacher efficacy for Urban STEM teachers facing challenges to their teaching. Journal of Urban Learning, Teaching, & Research, 13, 135-146.

Mehta, R., Mehta, S. & Seals, C. (2017). A Holistic Approach to Science Education: Disciplinary, Affective, and Equitable. Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 36(3), 269-286. Waynesville, NC USA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved from http://www.learntechlib.org/d/180388

Seals, C., Mehta, S., Graves Wolf, L. & Marcotte, C. (2017). Theory and Implementation of an Innovative Teacher Professional Development Program. Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 36(3), 219-235. Waynesville, NC USA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved April 16, 2018 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/180385/.

Mehta, S., Mehta, R., Berzina-Pitcher, I., Seals, C. & Mishra, P. (2016). 49 Stories That Make an Ultimate STEM Lesson Plan. Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 35(4), pp. 343-353. Waynesville, NC USA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved from http://www.learntechlib.org/d/174349

BOOK CHAPTER

Henriksen, D., Mehta, R. & Mehta, S. (2019). Design thinking gives STEAM to teaching: A framework that breaks disciplinary boundaries. In M. Khine & S. Areepattamannil (Eds.). STEAM Education: Theory, Research, and Practice (pp. 57-78). Switzerland: Springer

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

Mehta, S., Minaiy, M., Liao, Y-C., Karlin, M. (2024). Exploring Pedagogical Content Knowledge and Equity Understandings of K12 teachers in  Computer Science Authorization Programs. Paper submitted to the American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2024 in Division K. (In Review)

Karlin, M., Stephany, C., Minaiy, M., Mehta, S., & Reed, M. (2024). Inservice and Preservice Teachers’ Experiences Co-Designing and Implementing a 4th Grade Computer Science Event. Paper submitted to the American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2024 in Division K. (In Review)

Karlin, M., Liao, Y-C, Oh-Young, C., Mehta, S., & Minaiy, M., (2024). Special Education Faculty Experiences with Integrating Computer Science Education into Preservice Teacher Pathways. Paper submitted to the American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2024 in Division K. (In Review)

Karlin, M., Liao, Y-C, Mehta, S., Iqbal, A., & Minaiy, M., (2024). Equity Issues in Elementary Computer Science Education: Exploring Current Research Knowns and Unknowns. Paper submitted to the American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2024 in Division K. (In Review)

Mehta, S. (2024). Exploring Racially Neutral Stances of Computer Science Faculty in CS Curricula Design and Classroom Discourse. In the symposium on Constructing Equitable Possibilities in STEM Education: A Symposium Of Early Career Researchers. Paper submitted to the American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2024. (In Review)

Karlin, M., Minaiy, M., Mehta, S., Liao, Y.C. (2023). Building Capacity for K-12 Computer Science Education through Integration in Preservice Pathways. Paper accepted at the 2023 Computer Science Teacher Association (CSTA) Annual Conference. 

Karlin, M., Mehta, S., Babaie, M., Jhun, J., & Stephany, C. (2023). Enacting Equity-Focused Technology Integration Practices in Preservice Coursework and Clinical Practice. Paper accepted at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) 2023 conference. 

Mehta, S. (2023). Equitable Computer Science Education: Moving towards culturally responsive pedagogical pathways for CS faculty. Paper accepted at American Educational Research Association. 

Pandya, J. Z., Mehta, S., Stephany, C., & Karlin, M. (2023). Balancing Teacher Labor Demands: Between Critical Teacher Preparation EdTech Conversations and District Platformization Expectations. In the symposium on Platformed Pedagogy: The Work of Teaching in the New Edtech Landscape accepted to American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2023. 

Mehta, S. (2022). Computing for Sustainable Equity: Culturally Responsive Computing in CS Undergraduate Education. Paper accepted at the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference. San Diego, CA. United States: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).

Logan, C, Chapman, A., Krutka, D., Mehta, S., & Vakil, S. (2022). “In That System, We All Look Like Thieves”: Developing Young People’s Critical Digital Citizenship. In the symposium for Educating Techno-Skeptics: Critical Approaches to Educational Technology in a Dystopian World. Paper accepted at American Educational Research Association in the SIG on Technology as Agent of Change in Teaching and Learning.

Lachney, M., Mehta, S., Dunbar, K., & Opps, Z. (2021). Educational Technologists Talk about the Politics of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity in Design and Development. Paper accepted at the American Educational Research Association in the SIG on Design and Technology.

Mehta, S. (2020). A Technofeminist Lens for Exploring Undergraduate Women’s Belonging and Persistence in Computing. Paper presented at the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education as a Panel on Computational Thinking/Computer Science Education in Higher Education — Pedagogical Strategies, Supports, and Initiatives.

Yadav, A., & Mehta, S. (2019). Learning from Case-Based Instruction in Engineering: Does Confidence Predict Learning? Paper presented at American Educational Research Association, Toronto, Canada.

Mehta, S. & Yadav, A. (2019). Gendered Representation in Computer Science: Exploring Women’s Belonging, Interest, Confidence, and Persistence. Paper presented at American Educational Research Association, Toronto, Canada.

Mehta, S. & Yadav, A. (2018). Gender Inequity in Computer Science: Undergraduate women’s belonging, interest, confidence, and persistence in CS. Paper presented at the 44th Annual Research on Women and Education (RWE) Conference. San Antonio, TX, USA.

Mehta, S., Good, J., Sands, P., Yadav, A., Gretter, S. & Levenhagen-Seeley, J. (2018). Impact of After-School Learning Programs on High School Girls’ Confidence and Interest in Computing. In E. Langran & J. Borup (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 372-378). Washington, D.C., United States: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved April 16, 2018 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/182551/.

Mehta, S., Yadav, A., & Martini, A. (2017, March). Students’ conceptions of engineering design: An exploratory study in an engineering capstone course. Poster presented at the American Educational Research Association Annual Conference. San Antonio, TX.

Mishra, P., Graves-Wolf, L., Gunnings-Moton, S., Seals, C., Mehta, R., Berzina, I., Mehta, S., Horton, A., Shack, K., Marcotte, C., Cosby, M. & Pawlicki, D. (2016). Reinventing TPACK, STEM Teaching and Leadership in an Urban Context. In G. Chamblee & L. Langub (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 1265-1269). Savannah, GA, United States: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved April 16, 2018 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/171853/.

Mehta, S., Mehta, R., Berzina-Pitcher, I., Seals, C., & Mishra, P. (2016). 49 Stories that Make an Ultimate STEM Lesson Plan. In Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2016 (pp. 2398-2406). Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).

Yadav, A., Alexander, V., & Mehta, S. (2016). Case-Based Instruction in STEM: Analysis of student confidence. Proceeding of International Conference on Learning and Teaching in Computing and Engineering (pp. 24-26), Mumbai, India: IEEE. DOI: 10.1109/LaTiCE.2016.46.

Invited Talks

Karlin, M., Beheshti, M., Goyette, K., Patel, S., Lansberger, M., Jonas, A., Mehta, S., Minaiy, M. (August 2023). Computer Science Supplementary Authorization (CSSA) Annual Alumni Summit. 

Mehta, S., Babaei, M., Richard, B., & Huang, R. (January 2023). CSforEd Post-doctoral Scholar Panel. CS for ALL. https://vimeo.com/795680491

GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS

Grants:

CSU Hispanic Serving Institution (HIS) Community Grant. Supporting and Innovating Equity-Focused Technology Integration Practices in Preservice Teacher Coursework and Clinical Practice. $150,000 over 2 year. PI: Dr. Mike Karlin. Co-PI: Dr. Jarod Kawasaki and Dr. Cristina Stephany. Personnel: Dr. Swati Mehta and Dr. Mahya Babaie. (Not Funded).

Computer Science Supplementary Authorization Incentive CTC Grant. Worked in partnership with local school districts (Hawthorne USD and Redondo USD) and the CSUDH College of Education and Computer Science Department to secure $125,000 in state-level funding from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to support costs for computer science supplementary authorizations for local inservice teachers. $125,000 over 3 years. (Funded).  

Google LLC Community Grants (2022). Developing biannual, culturally relevant computer science events and professional development for K-12 students, preservice teachers, and in-service teachers. 19,500 over 1 year. PI: Dr. Mike Karlin, Personnel: Dr. Swati Mehta. (Funded).

Educator Workforce Investment Grant (California Department of Education): Computer Science Equity & Diversity advisor on the California Department of Education, 2021 Educator Workforce Investment Grant Program: Computer Science. $5 million. (not funded)

Travel Grants:

MSU Graduate Student CEPSE Conference Travel Grant (2016; $500)
MSU Graduate Student CEPSE Conference Travel Grant (2018; $500)Grants:

Fellowships: 

2023: Community for Advancing Discovery Research in Education (CADRE) Fellows program is a program funded by the National Science Foundation Discovery Research PreK-12 (DRK-12) program that provides professional growth opportunities for early career researchers (e.g., doctoral students, postdocs, research assistants) whose work centers on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in preK-12 STEM education. 

2021: Dissertation Completion Fellowships ($7000) are funded by the Graduate School at Michigan State University and are intended to expedite the completion of strong dissertations by providing students additional funding and thus time to dedicate to completion of their dissertations.

2017: Inside Teaching MSU – Innovation Hub Graduate Fellowship ($5000) for graduate students is to expose them to intellectual spaces at MSU where innovation in teaching and learning is occurring – within collaborative projects between academic departments and the MSU-Innovation Hub (“the Hub”). Website: http://insideteaching.grad.msu.edu/

2016: Fellowship to Enhance Global Understanding (FEGU) ($500) to China in collaboration with Southwest University in Chongqing, China, the Chongqing Municipal Educational Committee, and the Beijing Normal University to observe the educational system in China, exchange ideas with the local educators, and to gain an international perspective of what the education system is like in China.Website and blog post: http://china2016.educ.msu.edu/index.php/2016/06/15/experiencing-china-its-culture-and-education/

WORKSHOPS ATTENDED

AAUW Start Smart Salary Negotiation. Michigan State University (Spring 2018)
Michigan State University

Communicating your Professional and Scholarly Self Workshop Series (Spring 2018)
Michigan State University

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2012 – 2015: Higher Education Counselor

Employer: The Globalizers

• Worked online and in-person on organizing motivational and assessment sessions to students aspiring to pursue education internationally. Providing counseling sessions in Information Technology, Information Systems, and Management Information Systems for students and parents.

2010 – 2012: Financial Sales Associate, Sales

Employer: HDFC Bank

• Undertook team leadership, training employees, providing investment reviews for clients, and providing customer support.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Educational Research Association (AERA)
Association for Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)
International Society on Technology Education (ISTE)
Journal of Educational Computing Research (A SAGE Journal)
Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE)

SERVICE

CSU, Fresno
Increase Support for Prioritized Scholarship, Strategic Planning Committee, 2023

CSU, Dominguez Hills
Co-Chair, Non-Tenure Track Faculty Advisory Board (NTTFAB), 2022-2023
Volunteer, Student Research Conference Planning Committee, 2022

Journal & Conference Reviewer
Journal Reviewer, ACM Transactions on Computing Education, 2022
Journal Reviewer, Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 2022
Journal Reviewer, TechTrends Journal, 2022
Journal Reviewer, Journal of Educational Computing Research, 2021
Journal Reviewer, Journal of Educational Computing Research, 2020
Conference Proposal Reviewer, American Educational Research Association (AERA) (2022)
Conference Proposal Reviewer, American Educational Research Association (AERA) (2021)
Conference Proposal Reviewer, American Educational Research Association (AERA) (2016)

Non-Profit Organizations
Researcher, Genesis, Non-Profit organization committed to serving multi-racial, income-diverse community to promote effective, equitable solutions to regional problems, 2021.
Volunteered at Friendship House MSU, connected to the University Lutheran Church, Fall 2014- Fall 2015.

Union Representation
Pedagogy Committee Curriculum Developer, Graduate Employees Union (2019).
Steward, Graduate Employees Union, Ed. Psych. & Ed. Tech. department (2018-19).

Michigan State University
Evaluator, University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF), Michigan State University (2018).

Volunteer at Conferences
Volunteer at Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE) Conference (2018).
Volunteer for teachers from Azim Premji Institute, India visiting Michigan State University as part of a collaborative project (2016).
Volunteered at Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE) Conference (2016).

LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES

Workshop on Coding: Collaboratively with Dr. Mike Karlin, Assistant Professor, CSU, Dominguez Hills and Dr. Mahya Babaei, Postdoctoral Researcher, SITE, we organized a coding workshop during the inaugural ceremony of the Snap Inc. Institute for Technology & Education (SITE). Students from the Liberal Studies program in the College of Education at CSUDH engaged in block-based programming and Logo programming to code robots to do tricks, follow paths, and explain their process to all the dignitaries present during this event.

Social Initiative for Women’s issue: Collaborated with two colleagues at College of Education at Michigan State University to extend initiatives begun by the Women’s March in January 2017. Conducted an action-oriented group looking to welcome diverse members to discuss and act on social causes across MSU and the Lansing area.