In a news release last week, the university said its new College of Connected Computing will focus on a “computing for all approach,” collaborating with other schools and colleges at Vanderbilt to advance fields like AI and to help meet a growing demand among employers for applicants with advanced tech degrees and credentials.
“Of all the factors shaping society, few are more influential than the rapid emergence of advanced computing, AI and data science,” Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said in a public statement. “To continue to carry out our mission, prepare all our students for their careers and advance research across the university, Vanderbilt must contribute even more to the study, understanding and innovative application of these fast-changing disciplines. Our aim is to make Vanderbilt a global leader in these fields, ensuring our continued academic excellence and capacity for world-changing innovation.”
According to the announcement, the College of Connected Computing will begin searching for a dean by late August, who will report to Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver and to School of Engineering Dean Krishnendu “Krish” Roy. The university will also begin recruiting new faculty for the college in the coming months.
“Our new college will enable us to build upon our strong programs and catapult Vanderbilt to the forefront of breakthrough discovery and innovation — in key areas of computer science and also in a wide range of other disciplines that capitalize on advanced computational methods,” Raver said in a public statement. “The creation of this college represents a tremendous win and will be transformative for our entire university community.”
The establishment of the new college comes as higher-ed institutions across the U.S. continue to ramp up programming related to AI and data science, such as the University of South Florida, which announced plans late last month to launch the first college of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in the state, and Pace University, where officials are preparing to launch a new AI lab on its New York City campus.
Officials said in the news release that a new college dedicated to these tech fields will help accelerate research and allow the university to more effectively leverage advanced computing in other disciplines.
“The establishment of this interdisciplinary, ‘cross-cutting’ college is a watershed moment — not only for the School of Engineering, but also for the entire university,” Roy said. “The future of education, research and thinking in all disciplines is now inherently tied to, and will be greatly influenced by, the knowledge and power of computing. The idea of ‘computing for all’ is fundamental to the future of learning.”
According to the announcement, a task force composed of faculty from across the university will iron out additional details about the college, such as its departments and degree programs. In addition, the university will launch a Computing Catalyst working group led by Vice Provost for Research and Innovation Padma Raghavan that will solicit input from faculty and staff leaders about strategies to expand Vanderbilt’s computing resources.
“The decision to establish this new college is rooted in conversations with faculty,” Raver said. “We are continuing that faculty engagement with this working group, and we’re fortunate to have the advice of some of the best minds in these fields as we embark on this exciting journey.”
