Forging a future of master mentorship

Joshua Daymude named 2024–25 Outstanding Master’s Mentor by ASU Graduate College

“I decided to knock on his door to have an impromptu discussion and he very willingly obliged,” Devendra Parkar says.

That’s how Parkar describes meeting his mentor Joshua Daymude. Parkar is now seeking his doctoral degree in computer science under Daymude’s supervision.

Daymude is an assistant professor of computer science and engineering in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University.

Parkar says that initial conversations with Daymude sparked an interest in taking several of his classes. He later approached the faculty member about serving as advisor for his master’s and doctoral degrees.

In February, Daymude was named 2024–25 Outstanding Master’s Mentor by the ASU Graduate College. The award honors a faculty member who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to creating collaborative academic environments and providing students with interpersonal connection and support. He was nominated for the award by Parkar and Siva Kumar Katta, who is also pursuing a doctoral degree in computer science.

Parkar says the award is well-deserved.

“Whenever I have a chat with Dr. Daymude, I end up feeling better about my abilities than I had previously,” Parkar says. “He really believes in his students without being overly flattering.”

Daymude says he feels driven to provide support and encouragement to help students succeed in computer science and engineering-adjacent sectors.

“Difficult material, less than encouraging teachers, and isolating social experiences in STEM lead students to lose confidence in their abilities and stop imagining themselves as capable contributors to these fields,” he says.

Daymude has spent the last two years developing an impressive track record as a mentor. He is currently advising three doctoral students, has advised two students who successfully completed their master’s degrees and directed several research projects in the Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative. He also coached a team that participated in the International Collegiate Programming Contest.

He has played a key role in the development of the Biocomputing Scholars Program. Daymude has a joint appointment in the Biodesign Center for Biocomputing, Security and Society. The team there developed an undergraduate research program to stimulate interest in the study of the intersection of computer science and biology. The program has thus far mentored 60 students across eight different majors, with Daymude directly overseeing projects for 15 scholars.

Daymude is also something of a homegrown hero. The researcher received his undergraduate degrees in computer science and mathematics from ASU and completed his doctoral degree in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence under the supervision of ASU President’s Professor Andréa Richa.

Richa says that she’s not surprised by Daymude’s latest accolade.

“Josh was a phenomenal student and is now a phenomenal colleague with a passion for impactful research,” Richa says. “I think his legacy in the field of distributed algorithms, often with inspiration from biological and social systems, is likely to be greatly enhanced by his dedication to mentoring students and the concern he has for their success. He is also a fantastic teacher, loved by all the students in his classes.”

Daymude’s award brings the Fulton Schools tradition of excellence in mentorship full circle. He nominated Richa for an Outstanding Mentor Award from the ASU Faculty Women’s Association which she won in 2021.

“Academia was not an obvious career path for me, and I owe much to the generosity and understanding of my instructors, mentors, and collaborators — many of whom also understand what it is to feel like an outsider — for helping me reach my current position,” Daymude says.

Ross Maciejewski, director of the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence says that he’s proud of faculty member efforts to inspire both students and each other.

“This is an impressive milestone for Josh to reach,” Maciejewski says. “To see a successful past student move forward and assume a role as an inspirational educator exemplifies our Fulton Schools value of fostering a community of learning and collaboration.”