May 4, 2020
Dear Colleagues,
Paul Cohen, dean of the School of Computing and Information (SCI), has shared with me his decision to step down from that role to return to the faculty, effective July 1, 2020. Since arriving at the University in 2017 as that school's inaugural dean, Paul has worked in impressive ways to help shape an amazing school--the first new school at Pitt in 20 years.
Under Paul's leadership, SCI has made important progress. It became a freshman-admitting school. It has also developed joint programs with other departments and hired excellent additional faculty members. The Master of Library and Information Science has been re-visioned. Paul and his team have also reached out in important ways and gained support for the momacs Institute. It is also significant that the number of women and underrepresented minority undergraduate students in SCI's incoming class has increased. That is meaningful work—and I truly appreciate these efforts.
I am pleased to announce that Bruce Childers, Senior Associate Dean in SCI, Special Assistant to the Provost for Data Science, and the Executive Director of the momacs Institute, has agreed to serve as Interim Dean of the school. Bruce's expertise speaks for itself—and I look forward to working with him as we further advance the path forward for SCI.
I know you will join me in thanking Paul for everything he has contributed—and for his deep commitment to SCI and to the Pitt community.
Best,
Ann E. Cudd
Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor