Meet the Faculty: Abrahim Ladha Brings a Longstanding Connection to Teaching at Georgia Tech
School of Computing Instruction (SCI) faculty member Abrahim Ladha’s experience with Georgia Tech spans more than a decade and began even before he enrolled as a student.
“I technically have paperwork that goes back to 2013, when I was in high school,” he said.
Ladha first came to campus as a camp counselor teaching introductory programming to Girl Scouts through a Georgia Tech outreach program.
“I feel like I have been doing the same job under different names since then,” he said.
That early classroom experience set the tone for what would become a continuous journey in teaching, which included returning as a teaching assistant and now as a lecturer.
Ladha grew up in Savannah, Georgia. He says that early on, he was drawn to mathematics and helping others, and that over time, these interests became more clearly connected.
“I knew I wanted a career helping people. I also love mathematics and theoretical computer science,” he said. “Being a teacher is the correct conclusion of those goals.”
He now teaches the sequence of theoretical computer science courses, including CS 2050 Intro to Discrete Mathematics, CS 3510 Design & Analysis - Algorithms, and CS 4510 Automata and Complexity.
Of the three, he says Automata and Complexity is his favorite, in part because it allows him to connect students with the origins of the discipline.
“I get to discuss the work of the old masters like Alan Turing,” he said.
Ladha emphasizes discipline and long-term understanding in his classes and encourages students to engage deeply with challenging material rather than focusing only on immediate outcomes.
“Mathematics requires discipline, but it is rewarding,” he said. “It explains to you the movement of heavenly bodies, the reasons for success and for failure, and the mental progression between the states of the mind.”
In addition to his teaching, Ladha serves as coach for Georgia Tech’s Competitive Programming team, which competes in the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC). The team recently earned another bronze medal at the North America Championship, continuing a strong track record of success in major competitions.
He highlights the lasting nature of mathematical concepts, especially in contrast to rapidly changing technologies.
“Long after your favorite language falls into disuse, the Chinese remainder theorem will still hold,” he said. “Contrasting what you receive with the work that it takes for mastery, mathematics asks for very little. Lock in.”
For Ladha, SCI plays a central role in making that kind of teaching possible.
“Being a part of SCI is a dream come true,” he said. “Instructors at other schools may have their teaching as their third or fourth priority. The idea that SCI exists to promote teaching first makes us extremely effective educators, and it shows in our graduates.”
