Carnegie Mellon University
March 02, 2023

Announcing the Search for the Executive Director of the CMU Rales Fellows Program

Dear Carnegie Mellon Faculty and Staff:

I write to announce the launch of the search for the executive director of the CMU Rales Fellows Program. Following last week’s exciting announcement, I am pleased to offer details regarding this opportunity, which will be critical in shaping a program dedicated to developing a diverse community of exceptionally talented national STEM leaders from underrepresented or under-resourced backgrounds, including first-generation students.

Reporting to Amy Burkert, vice provost for education, this role will provide overall leadership for the CMU Rales Fellows Program and serve as its chief ambassador and advocate. They will be charged with translating the newly-created program’s vision into action, including establishing a team, creating organizational structures and overseeing an annual budget. The executive director will engage with leaders in the colleges and departments participating in the program and coordinate efforts to ensure successful outcomes for the program and its fellows. They will drive strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including corporate and recruiting partners, as well as maintain communication and coordination with the Rales Foundation and the Ron Brown Scholar Program.

To lead the search, Matthew Johnson-Roberson, director of the Robotics Institute and professor in the School of Computer Science, will co-chair the search committee alongside Becky Culyba, vice provost for operations and strategic initiatives. The committee members are:

  • Alaine Allen, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, College of Engineering Distinguished Service Professor, Engineering and Public Policy; 
  • Shelley Anna, Associate Dean for Faculty and Graduate Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, College of Engineering and Professor of Chemical Engineering;
  • David Garlan, Associate Dean for Master’s Programs and Professor of Computer Science, School of Computer Science;
  • Kevin Monahan, Associate Dean for Career and Professional Development, Student Affairs;
  • Barb Shinn-Cunningham, Director, Carnegie Mellon Neuroscience Institute and George A. and Helen Dunham Cowan Professor of Auditory Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, and Electrical & Computer Engineering;
  • Maggie Sikora, Director for Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, Office of the Vice Provost for Education;
  • Prasad Tetali, Alexander M. Knaster Professor and Department Head, Mellon College of Science;
  • Theodora Thrastardottir, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Graduate Student Assembly; and
  • Conrad Tucker, Arthur Hamerschlag Career Development Professor, Mechanical Engineering.

Executive search firm Spelman Johnson will work with the committee to gather input from key stakeholders on the position and qualifications, evaluate the candidate pool, and provide input and recommendations. The committee will play an active and inclusive role in identifying qualified individuals, recruiting and encouraging nominations and applications, and monitoring the confidential applicant pool to ensure quality and diversity. We hope to complete the search by May 1, 2023, with the goal of filling the role by the end of the spring semester.

To learn more about this role and the search process or to submit confidential inquiries, nominations or applications, visit the search website.

Sincerely,

Jim Garrett
Provost and Chief Academic Officer