Matthew Johnson-Roberson, a very accomplished visionary technology researcher, will be the inaugural dean of Vanderbilt University Connected computer collegeToday announced the first new college of the university at over 40, C. Cybele Raver, Provost and Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs. His appointment begins on May 1, 2025.
As director of the famous Robotics Institute of Carnegie Mellon University, one of the world centers in the field, Johnson-Roberson brings in-depth expertise in the creation of significant collaborations through academic disciplines, while capitalizing on the main opportunities to integrate global industry and institutional partners. His leadership file embodies the founding principles of the College of Connected Computing of “Computing for All” and working alongside all the schools and colleges of Vanderbilt to advance pierced discoveries and strengthen educational programming in vital fields such as AI, IT, social computer science, digital human and data analysis.
“It is rare to find someone like Matthew Johnson-Roberson, whose extensive research radiance is associated with an enormous ability to transform a daring vision in reality,” said Raver. “We are lucky that Matthew joins Vanderbilt to launch the College of Connected Computing and shape his brilliant future for future generations.”
Johnson-Roberson, who, as a distinguished professor at the University, will have double-faculty meetings at the college of connected computer science and at the engineering school, is a remarkable and curious scholar with expertise in robotics, computer vision, automatic learning and autonomous systems. In Carnegie Mellon, in addition to his role as director and head of department of the Institute of Robotics, he is a computer teacher and founder and director of the Drop laboratory (optical perception of the deep robot), who seeks 3D reconstruction, segmentation, data exploration and visualization. Johnson-Roberson is also a recipient of the National Science Foundation Career Award.
“Matthew Johnson-Roberson is a proven manufacturer and leader whose enthusiasm for the possibilities of AI and IT brings to all disciplines is a source of inspiration,” said Chancellor Daniel Diermeier. “With its large expertise – ranging from robotics to autonomous vehicles and even musicology – and its commitment to our” Computing for All “approach, Professor Johnson -Roberson is the ideal inaugural dean for the college of connected computer science. It is my great pleasure to welcome him to Vanderbilt. ”
Johnson-Roberson brings an impressive record for accomplishment in obtaining important subsidies and partnerships from catalytic business. In 2024 alone, he led a department with a budget of more than $ 100 million and supervised the deployment of a subsidy of $ 45 million from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to build the new CMU robotics center. Previously, he founded and directed the Ford Center for Autonomous Vehicles of the University of Michigan, a $ 25 million partnership that led to the construction of a new ultramodern installation on this campus. In addition to Ford, he negotiated masters with companies such as Google and Amazon and has developed partnerships with the American army.
“I am humiliated and honored to be appointed as the first dean of the Vanderbilt’s College of Connected Computing,” said Johnson-Roberson. “By discussing with university leadership and his deanery colleagues through the campus, it is clear that there is great potential to make Vanderbilt a world leader in discovery and education based on calculations. With the spirit ‘`dare to grow’ ‘by Vanderbilt, the COLLEGE DE L’UTIFULT connected has all the most influential ingredients, and the most brilliant innovators in the world.
Earlier in March, Vanderbilt announced that the trustee John Arnold, Ba’95, and his wife, Laura Arnold, have started $ 25 million Provide fundamental support for the leadership of professors from Connected Computing, education and various strategic initiatives. The gift will establish a dean president with Johnson-Roberson and three additional chairs to support distinguished teachers.
Johnson-Roberson was appointed with the advice of a cross research committee Chaired by Krish Roy, the Bruce and Bridgitt Evans dean of the engineering school.
“The extraordinary interest we have received from many high caliber candidates reflected the real enthusiasm for the launch of this new college,” said Roy. “I am delighted with the appointment of Matthew Johnson-Roberson. His vision of the College of Connected Computing Synergise with the incredible incredible momentum of Vanderbilt. Me and his colleagues from the engineering school, who have an impact on science and society for society for a meat complex and prepare for Vanderbil landscape. “
As Dean, Johnson-Roberson will fall directly from the provost. From July 1, the Institute of the Department of Computer Science and Science of Vanderbilt will be among the first university entities to move to the College of Connected Computing. The College will host its first new graduate students from the academic year of 2026-2027 and its first first year first cycle class the following year.
THE Connected computer college Will prepare students to lead in a digital world thanks to interdisciplinary learning experiences in computer science, AI, data science and more. Use the power of IT in collaborations in the fields, students and teachers will unlock innovative research methods that improve discovery, transform industries and create more efficient and impactful solutions with complex challenges that modern society is confronted.
Johnson-Roberson comes to Vanderbilt alongside his wife, Dr. Alice Whyte, who joins the Vanderbilt University Medical Center as a CardioRoracic Anesthesiologist and their 3-year-old daughter, Rosie.