Dr. Gregory Kesden

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Gregory Kesden is an Associate Teaching Professor in the College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, specializing in software systems, distributed systems, networks, cloud computing, operating systems, and forensic computer science. He has extensive experience teaching a variety of courses including introductory Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), programming, data structures, and advanced undergraduate and graduate systems classes. Throughout his career, he has served as head coach of Carnegie Mellon’s internationally renowned programming team, director of regional programming contests, teaching assistant program coordinator within the School of Computer Science, associate director of the MS CS program, and director of master's programs in computer science engineering at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). After beginning his academic career at Clemson University, he spent 16 years as faculty within the School of Computer Science at CMU before returning to the College of Engineering in 2017. His teaching excellence has been recognized with several awards, including the SCS Simon Award for Teaching Excellence, the SCS Habermann Educational Service Award, the ACM Coach of the Year Award, and the ECE Joel & Ruth Spira Excellence in Teaching Award.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Teaching Professor

2018-01-01 — Present

Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, PA

Teaching courses in Electrical and Computer Engineering, mentoring students and leading instructional programs.

Awards

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SCS Simon Award Teaching Excellence

2020-01-01
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SCS Habermann Educational Service Award

2019-01-01
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ACM Coach of the Year Award

2018-01-01
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ECE Joel & Ruth Spira Excellence Teaching Award

2017-01-01

Requirements for Carnegie Mellon University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
GRE General
Verbal
Required:158
Quantitative
Required:149
Analytical Writing
Required:4
Overall
Required:4
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related field Research experience/publications
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Transcripts
  • GRE scores (optional but reported in profile)
  • English Proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo)
Specialization Notes

Admission is extremely competitive with no strict GPA cut-offs; holistic review is used.