Michael Sipser assumed the role of dean for the School of Science.

Michael Sipser assumed the role of dean for the School of Science.

Michael Sipser has been named the dean of the School of Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), effective immediately. The announcement was made following a rigorous selection process overseen by a faculty advisory committee.

Sipser, a prominent mathematician and theoretical computer scientist, has been serving as the interim dean since December. He is well-known for his contributions to theoretical computer science, particularly in computational complexity theory and automata theory.

Sipser joined MIT's Laboratory for Computer Science as a research associate in 1979, becoming an assistant professor of applied mathematics in 1980. He has been a key figure at MIT for over four decades, serving as the Barton L. Weller Professor of Mathematics and the head of the Department of Mathematics since 2004.

One of Sipser's most significant accomplishments at MIT was his instrumental role in bringing the Advantage Testing Foundation's Math Prize for Girls to the university's campus. Under his leadership, the Department of Mathematics also launched successful fundraising efforts for building renovation, endowed chairs, and fellowships.

These efforts have resulted in the Department of Mathematics providing fellowships to all first-year graduate students. Sipser's tenure as head of the department also saw a 64% increase in undergraduate majors, from 236 to 386.

The faculty advisory committee, which included representatives from each of the departments in the School of Science, praised Sipser's integrity, fairness, and patience. President L. Rafael Reif echoed these sentiments, expressing his confidence in Sipser's ability to lead the school.

Sipser is the author of the widely used textbook "Introduction to the Theory of Computation," now in its third edition. The book is a foundational text in computer science curricula globally.

Outside of MIT, Sipser is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He earned his BA in mathematics from Cornell University in 1974 and his PhD in engineering from the University of California at Berkeley in 1980.

In personal news, Sipser lives in Cambridge with his wife, Ina, and has two children: a daughter, Rachel, who recently graduated from New York University, and a son, Aaron, who is a high school junior.

As Sipser steps into his new role as dean, he continues to be a leading scholar at MIT, having returned to an active faculty role as the Donner Professor of Mathematics in 2025.

References: 1. MIT News 2. Computational Complexity

1. Michael Sipser, an undergraduate alumnus of Cornell University, has been named the new dean of the School of Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
2. Sipser's extensive knowledge in theoretical computer science has been instrumental in his role as the dean, especially in computational complexity theory and automata theory.
3. Sipser's dedication to education is evident in his work, from his time as a research associate in MIT's Laboratory for Computer Science to his current role, where he continues to promote learning in science and technology.
4. The school has seen significant growth in undergraduate students majoring in various departments under Sipser's leadership, with a 64% increase in majors since he became head of the Department of Mathematics.
5. As a commitment to education-and-self-development, Sipser's leadership has resulted in the Department of Mathematics providing fellowships to all first-year graduate students.
6. Sipser has been actively involved in research, publishing the widely used textbook "Introduction to the Theory of Computation," a foundational text in computer science curricula worldwide.
7. Outside of MIT, Sipser is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, demonstrating his impact on his field beyond the campus.
8. In his new role as dean, Sipser will continue to promote research, teaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration among students, faculty, and departments in the School of Science.
9. With his return to an active faculty role as the Donner Professor of Mathematics in 2025, Sipser maintains his position as a leading scholar in both education and science.
10. Sipser, in his personal life, has managed to balance his duties at MIT with his family, living in Cambridge with his wife, Ina, and having two children, one of whom is a high school junior and the other a recent graduate from New York University.

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