Dear campus leaders and CDSS community members,
We are pleased to announce the reappointment of Jennifer Chayes as Dean of the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society (CDSS). Her second five-year term began January 1, 2025. As the founding dean of CDSS, Dean Chayes has led the college with vision and determination, successfully spearheading the effort to transform what was initially the Division of Data Sciences into the first new college at Berkeley in more than 50 years
Since assuming her role, Dean Chayes has made significant strides in advancing the mission of CDSS. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping the college’s structure, vision, and impact. She has worked with faculty, staff, students, and campus leadership to guide the creation of groundbreaking academic programs and innovation in existing programs, including the interdisciplinary data science major. Her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence have helped to define the ethos of CDSS, ensuring its work remains relevant and impactful in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.
One of Dean Chayes’ most significant accomplishments has been the development of CDSS’s physical and intellectual infrastructure. Under her guidance, the Gateway Building is nearing the final stages of construction. This will be a spectacular facility for our campus community, serving as a cornerstone for the college’s activities when it opens next year. Additionally, she has led successful initiatives to recruit and retain top-tier faculty, significantly expanding the college’s academic capacity and fostering excellence in teaching and research.
Dean Chayes has also worked closely with colleagues across campus and the UC system on several significant initiatives. She was instrumental in founding the Wendy and Eric Schmidt Center for Data Science and Environment, in collaboration with the Rausser College of Natural Resources, which addresses global environmental challenges through data-driven solutions. She collaborated with the Haas School of Business to establish the Center for Healthcare Marketplace Innovation, which aims to accelerate the development of economic and computational solutions to improve healthcare delivery. She was also integral to establishing the Computational Precision Health program between UC Berkeley and UCSF, which focuses on improving healthcare outcomes through advanced computational methods. Her efforts have driven interdisciplinary research initiatives like the Bakar Institute of Digital Materials for the Planet, which brings computing, chemistry, and materials science together to tackle critical environmental issues.
Looking ahead, Dean Chayes has outlined a forward-thinking vision for the next five years. Her goals include establishing institutional structures and programs that will help shape the future of computing, data science, and their intersections with other disciplines. She plans to continue working to foster a culture of innovation and collaboration while advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging across the college. She is also committed to ensuring the financial sustainability of CDSS by securing foundational resources to support its growth.
We invite you to read more about her accomplishments and vision for the college on the CDSS website
Please join us in congratulating Dean Chayes on her reappointment and supporting her as she continues to lead the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society into a dynamic and productive future.
Sincerely,
Richard K. Lyons
Chancellor
Benjamin E. Hermalin
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost