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April 7, 2026

Dear Members of the Carnegie Mellon Community,

It is my true pleasure to announce the appointment of Dr. Cassidy R. Sugimoto as the next Bess Family Dean of the Marianna Brown Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Sugimoto currently serves as School Chair, Tom and Marie Patton Chair and Professor in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is a globally recognized scholar whose work at the intersection of information science and science policy is profoundly in step with ����������’s interdisciplinary culture and our commitment to the ethical inquiry required to address complex societal challenges.

During her tenure at Georgia Tech, Dr. Sugimoto has demonstrated an exceptional ability to lead academic organizations while fostering a culture of innovation and inclusion. She led a significant strategic and philanthropic initiative to name the School of Public Policy after former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn — a milestone supported by $10 million in development funds. Her leadership has also resulted in substantial growth in student enrollment, national program expansion and the creation of four new interdisciplinary undergraduate minors. These achievements reflect her deep understanding of how to bridge diverse academic fields to enhance the holistic student experience.

Dr. Sugimoto’s research portfolio is equally distinguished. As a past president of the International Society for Scientometrics and Informetrics, she has spent her career examining the "science of science" and the formal and informal ways in which knowledge is produced and disseminated. A socially engaged scholar, she has served as a consultant for funding agencies including the European Research Council and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and as a program director for the National Science Foundation. Her recent book, “Equity for Women in Science,” underscores her dedication to evidence-based equity and the dismantling of systemic barriers in academia. This focus on the human element of discovery is vital as ���������� continues to lead at the nexus of technology and society.

Her expertise will be essential as we evolve our pedagogy to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. Dr. Sugimoto understands that the humanities and social sciences are not just complementary to our technical strengths but foundational to how we understand and improve the human condition. Whether advocating for ethical frameworks in AI or supporting faculty advancement, she is a demonstrated leader who will help ���������� do the work that matters.

As we look forward to this new chapter, I want to express my deep appreciation to Dean Richard Scheines for his outstanding leadership. Richard has laid a strong foundation for the college, and his dedication to the Dietrich community has been truly impactful. We are grateful for his many years of service and his continued contributions to the university.

I extend my sincere gratitude to the search committee, co-chaired by Dean Barb Shinn-Cunningham and Professor Kevin Zollman, for their diligent work in identifying such a visionary leader. I also thank the Dietrich College community for their engagement and feedback throughout this process. 

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Sugimoto to Carnegie Mellon. I am excited for the transformative impact she will have on Dietrich College and our broader ���������� community.

Sincerely,

James H. Garrett Jr. 
Provost and Chief Academic Officer