Joel Smith, director of the Office of Technology for Education, has been named vice provost for computing services and chief information officer, effective Feb. 15. Smith replaces Tracy Futhey, who will be leaving Carnegie Mellon to become vice president for information technology at Duke University.

Smith came to Carnegie Mellon in January 2000 to strengthen and coordinate the university's educational computing initiatives and to support the university's strategic focus on information and communication technology.

Under his leadership the Office of Technology for Education (OTE) has deployed and supported "Blackboard," a campus-wide course information system now used in about 330 courses, and has provided internal seed funding and consulting for a number of faculty technology-enhanced learning projects. The OTE has helped faculty raise about $1.5 million in external funding for such projects, and has co-sponsored seminars on teaching and technology. The OTE has worked in collaboration with Computing Services, University Advancement and the Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence.

"Joel Smith has demonstrated great leadership as director of the Office of Technology for Education," said Provost Mark Kamlet. "As we look to the future, there will be increasing convergence of our outstanding computing services activities, the growing role of technology in the classroom, and our various new Web initiatives.

"With his strong working relationship with the faculty and his experience in all of these areas, we look forward under Joel's direction to continuing our world-class standing in computing infrastructure and services."

Smith has extensive experience and a strong record of achievement in teaching, research and administration of instructional and general computing. He has focused on innovation in teaching throughout his career, creating sustainable support models that made it easier for faculty and staff to find the services they needed. He has held tenure track and lecturer positions at Indiana University, Allegheny College, Claremont Graduate University and the University of California at San Diego.

"I find it both a challenge and an honor to be given the opportunity to help continue the remarkable tradition of combined service and innovation that has been established by Computing Services at Carnegie Mellon," Smith said.

A native of Waco, Texas, Smith earned bachelor's degrees in philosophy and physics and a master's degree in physics from Baylor University. He holds master's and doctor's degrees in history and the philosophy of science from the University of Pittsburgh.

Smith is a co-principal investigator with University Professor of Philosophy Clark Glymour and Associate Professor of Philosophy Richard Scheines in a project to develop "Web-based Courseware in Causal Reasoning with Statistical Data." He is also a co-PI with Computer Science professors Klaus Sutner, Peter Lee, Michael Kohlhase and Dana Scott on an NSF-funded project called "Course Capsules - Persistent, Personalized Courseware."

Futhey leaves the university after more than 20 years as a member of the Carnegie Mellon community. After earning her bachelor's degree at Carnegie Mellon in 1984, she quickly rose through the ranks. She was appointed executive director of Computing Services in 1997 and vice provost in 1999.