About Albena Nikolaeva Asenova-Belal

Albena Nikolaeva Asenova-Belal is a distinguished professional with more than 25 years of global experience in electrical engineering, information technology, and cybersecurity. She earned her MS and Ph.D. in electrotechnology from the Technical University of Sofia, Bulgaria, where her doctoral thesis, “Technological Application of the Capacitive Electric Charge,” led to a patent and several publications.

Her academic journey includes serving as a visiting assistant professor at Cairo University and later contributing significantly to cybersecurity education in the United States. At Gwinnett Technical College, she directed the Cybersecurity Program, achieving the National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense designation in 2022 and 2024. She also earned numerous accolades, including the Women in Technology (WiT) Club of the Year Award in 2023 and multiple nominations for WiT’s Women of the Year Awards.

Asenova-Belal holds additional qualifications, including a master’s in information technology with a concentration in information security from Kennesaw State University and certifications such as AWS Cloud Practitioner. Beyond academics, she has actively mentored students and promoted women in STEAM fields.

Her commitment to community service and volunteerism was honored in three consecutive years with the President’s Volunteer Service Awards (Gold Medal, letter from the president and a certificate) through SkillsUSA, as well as with an Exceptional Service Award from the president of Gwinnett Technical College and the board of directors.

Currently, Asenova-Belal is a lecturer of information technology at Georgia Gwinnett College, where she continues to inspire and educate future IT professionals.

With more than 25 years of professional experience in higher education, Asenova-Belal has left an indelible mark on the global academic community. She possesses a deep passion for teaching and a genuine love for inspiring students and colleagues alike. Outside of her professional endeavors, she finds joy in the company of her loving husband, Mohamed Belal, and their two wonderful children.

Albena Asenova-Belal’s multifaceted expertise, unwavering commitment to education, and significant contributions to the field of technology make her a highly respected and influential figure in her profession. Her remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring educators, engineers, IT professionals, and innovators worldwide.

What is your role within AI-ALOE, and how did you become interested in your field?

AI-ALOE provides educators like me in the Technical College System of Georgia an exceptional opportunity to harness AI technologies to transform teaching and learning. This fellowship allows me to engage in cutting-edge research, collaborate with researchers and scientists, and co-design responsible AI solutions tailored for educational contexts.

My interest in this field stems from a passion for leveraging technology to enhance education. The program equips me with the skills to integrate AI into my teaching philosophies confidently, fostering innovation while contributing to a dynamic community of educators dedicated to advancing AI-driven learning practices. Through this experience, I aim to shape the future of education by embracing collaboration, ethical AI development, and a shared commitment to excellence.

What AI-ALOE technologies do you work with?

Mostly with Jill Watson, and recently, S.M.A.R.T.

What skills or experiences from your time at AI-ALOE do you think will be most valuable throughout your career?

The skills and experiences I gained through my time at AI-ALOE will be invaluable throughout my career. One of the most significant benefits has been mastering the integration of AI technologies into teaching methodologies. Tools like the virtual teaching assistant Jill Watson answer questions based on textbooks and other courseware to provide personalized and adaptive learning experiences for students.

This hands-on experience has equipped me to address diverse educational challenges, optimize student engagement, and enhance their mastery of complex concepts.

Additionally, collaborating with researchers and scientists in co-designing responsible AI solutions has strengthened my ability to innovate while maintaining ethical considerations in technology development. The AI-ALOE fellowship program has not only enhanced my teaching strategies but also positioned me to contribute meaningfully to the evolving landscape of education and workforce training.

What’s a hobby or activity you enjoy?

I like to always learn new things. In my spare time, I’m re-learning to play the piano and re-training my voice for singing with the help of my husband, who is a musician. Recently, I was “hooked” into embroidery thanks to my 18-year-old daughter, and into building complicated Lego sets, thanks to my 30-year-old son.

What’s something surprising or fun about you that most people wouldn’t know?

I used to play piano and sing in a group that toured around Europe.

Favorite quote

My favorite quote forms the foundation of my teaching philosophy:
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one that is most adaptable to change.” — Charles Darwin