Vanderbilt University announced Monday it is establishing a new college dedicated to computer science, artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and related fields.
The College of Connected Computing will be the first new college at Vanderbilt since the university and the Blair School of Music merged in 1981.
Not only will the college meet the “growing demand for degrees in technological fields and advancing research in rapidly evolving, computing-related disciplines,” Vanderbilt said it will also collaborate with all of the university’s schools and colleges to “advance breakthrough discoveries and strengthen computing education through a “computing for all” approach.”
The dean of the College of Connected Computing will report to Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver and School of Engineering Dean Krishnendu “Krish” Roy (pictured above).
The university said it expects to begin searching for the college’s dean in late August. The recruiting of faculty will also begin in the coming months.
Additional information regarding the college’s departments, degree programs, and research infrastructure will be determined by recommendations from a task force on connected computing composed of faculty from across the university.
“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 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.”
Overall employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 14.6 percent from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average growth for all occupations (5.3 percent), according to the Department of Labor.
Data science is projected to be the third fastest growing occupation from 2022-2032, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Krishnendu Roy” by Vanderbilt University and “Vanderbilt Central Library” by CMH2351fl CCNC2.0.
