It was with great excitement and infinite humility that I accepted the challenge of becoming the Dean of the School of Informatics and Computing in July. Prior to my arrival at Indiana University, I was the Director of the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Penn State, and I’ve had the opportunity to watch SoIC grow and expand from afar and through a number of different perspectives.
From the early days of the establishment of the then-School of Informatics, the School was known for its innovative programs and its groundbreaking study of technology and information, and the way people interact with it. The later additions of the computer science and information and library science programs has combined to make SoIC a unique place that stands on the precipice of greatness.
The breadth of our School has already distinguished us, and the new Intelligent Systems Engineering program will help push us even further. It is a field that is part of a revolution in technology, one that focuses on the future of what engineering can be. It goes beyond just the small-scale technologies that are driving the Internet of Things. It also encompasses the ideas that will help improve health, the environment, and so much more.
A new kind of engineering also requires a new kind of engineer.
During our Research Horizons event last fall, we showcased the groundbreaking work being done by our faculty with keynote talks by our very own Thomas Sterling, Assistant Director for Computer and Information Science at NSF Jim Kurose, and Pinterest CEO and co-founder Ben Silbermann. Silbermann’s presentation included a slide that showed and engineer and a designer sitting side-by-side, working together to solve a problem. It was a vision of the future. Engineers will help shape computing as it evolves, and we find ourselves in a unique position to create a cutting-edge program that will be the model for others to follow.
I’ve asked myself, ‘What is the advantage for our Intelligent Systems Engineering program to be here?’ The real advantage is what I call “Renaissance Engineering.” I want our engineers to be well-versed in the liberal arts, the sciences, and the humanities, as well as having in-depth knowledge of their respective fields. This holistic education will be what is needed in the future. I’m very excited we will be able to cultivate the Renaissance Engineer at Indiana University.
Intelligent Systems Engineering has the potential to be a transformative addition to our School, and I couldn’t be more excited about its future.
Our Data Science program also continues to thrive. It has enjoyed explosive growth since being established in January 2015, and it has highlighted the importance of data in today’s world. Data is obviously key to that program, but the principles of data, what I’m calling the “Sensors to Solutions,” will be critical as our school grows. Using data, which is the sensors in my equation, we can gain information which can be turned into knowledge that will lead to decisions and actions to guide computer science, informatics, library and information science, and intelligent systems as we pursue our goals.
Finally, Information and Library Science, the oldest program in our school, continues to be a source of pride for SoIC. As the roles of librarians change, the future of the field of information and library science will be led by the students who are adapting to a new reality and introducing innovative ideas to push ILS higher. We highlight the evolving ILS world in this issue.
SoIC is far more than the sum of its parts. Our individual work will help define quality and its measurement, and in turn, the School of Informatics and Computing will benefit by drawing the best and brightest students and faculty to help continue our growth. Informatics, information and library science, computer science, and engineering all have the power to change the world, and together they will help change our School. Our passion and vision will shape our future, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish.