CEC dean selected for Ohio AI25 list
Miami’s Beena Sukumaran helped launch degrees in Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence
CEC dean selected for Ohio AI25 list
Miami’s Beena Sukumaran helped launch degrees in Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence
One of the state’s leading technology platforms is spotlighting the people building Ohio’s AI future – and that includes a prominent leader at Miami University.
OhioX selected Miami’s Beena Sukumaran for its Ohio AI25 list, released on June 29 and featured on OhioTechNews.com. The group lauded Sukumaran, the Dinesh and Ila Paliwal Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing, for “positioning Miami University as one of the most forward-leaning engineering and computing colleges in Ohio.”
During Sukumaran’s tenure, CEC launched Ohio’s first Bachelor of Science in Quantum Computing, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence.
“Establishing a presence in these fields is important for our region’s future,” Sukumaran said. “We have exceptionally talented faculty, staff, and students driving AI and quantum computing forward. Our programs not only equip the next generation with vital skills, but our community is also conducting groundbreaking research in these domains. ”
OhioX is a nonprofit membership organization that promotes tech growth in Ohio. As part of OhioX, Ohio Tech News tells the stories of the state’s tech sector through features, interviews, in-depth coverage, and more.
Sukumaran joined Miami in 2020 after serving as vice president for research for Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. She received one of Purdue University’s Civil Engineering Alumni Achievement Awards earlier this year.
The Ohio AI25 list praised Sukumaran as a “key voice building Ohio’s next-generation quantum and AI workforce.” Sukumaran said CEC’s focus on quantum computing and AI is helping Miami meet Ohio’s workforce needs, both currently and for years to come.
“Building Ohio’s future workforce requires a bold presence in these emerging industries,” Sukumaran said. “Miami University is home to exceptionally talented faculty, staff, and students who are already driving innovation. By launching these programs, we are directly training the next generation to fuel Ohio and the region's economic growth and lead these critical research domains.”
Miami’s degree in Quantum Computing launched in fall 2025 and is believed to be not only the first of its kind in Ohio but also the first nationwide to focus on the software aspects of quantum computing.
The university’s Bachelor of Science in AI soon followed with approval from Ohio’s Department of Higher Education in late 2025. Sukumaran praised Liran Ma, chair of the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, as well as the faculty and staff of the department for their work in introducing both programs. The visionary faculty within the department served as the true architects of this curriculum, developing a forward-thinking program tailored to tomorrow's industry needs.
“Our 'AI+X' approach makes this a uniquely powerful degree for the modern workforce,” Sukumaran said. “We aren't just teaching coding; we are training the next generation of leaders to solve real-world problems as applied to varied fields such as K12 Education, ethics and so on. The level of applied research and workforce preparation we are engaged in with AI and quantum computing is what truly sets Miami University apart.”