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UC Berkeley’s Division of Computing, Data Science, and Society (CDSS) has named four new associate deans, selecting pioneering academic researchers with backgrounds from computing to sociology. The appointments include Charis Thompson as associate dean for campus partnerships; Catherine Ceniza Choy as associate dean of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice; Armando Fox as associate dean of online programs; and John DeNero, who was named associate dean of undergraduate studies in May. Kathy Yelick will be executive associate dean, transitioning from her previous role as CDSS’s associate dean for research.

UC Berkeley’s Data Science Undergraduate Studies program continues to cultivate the growth of data science education at colleges and universities across the country. Led by a dedicated adoption team at the Division of Computing, Data Science, and Society, many institutions have been able to emulate and adapt Berkeley's pedagogy in establishing local programs.

When it comes to higher education, Californians have a lot of choices, with 10 University of California (UC) campuses, 23 California State Universities (CSU), and 116 community colleges. The reason why the state boasts the largest, most comprehensive higher education ecosystem in the nation is due in large part to the visionary California Master Plan for Higher Education. However, when it comes to meeting the workforce needs of the 21st-century economy powered by data and AI, there is no comprehensive strategy amongst the state’s public universities. 

Jennifer Tour Chayes, Associate Provost for the Division of Computing, Data Science, and Society (CDSS) at the University of California, Berkeley, is the recipient of the 2020 ACM Distinguished Service Award for her effective leadership, mentorship, and dedication to diversity during her distinguished career of computer science research, teaching, and institution building. Presented by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the world’s largest computing society, the award is presented on the basis of value and degree of services to the computing community.

Tiffany Lohwater, who served as the Chief Communications Officer and Director for the Office of Communications at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), joined CDSS as its new Chief Communications Officer on May 17.

Three gifts of $25 million each will reinforce UC Berkeley’s position as a leader in computing and data science research and education, and help create a visionary new home for the Division of Computing, Data Science, and Society (CDSS). Notably, two of the gifts are from current Berkeley faculty: professors Scott Shenker and Ion Stoica of the Division of Computing, Data Science, and Society, and the College of Engineering. 

Each year, students at the 10 University of California campuses are invited to submit their ideas for transformative solutions to real-world problems to the Big Ideas contest. Sponsored by the Andrew and Virginia Rudd Family Foundation, Big Ideas provides the winning interdisciplinary teams with training, networks, recognition and funding. The program also allows campuses to make local awards to projects selected as finalists. When this year’s six Big Idea finalists were announced on May 27th, 2021, two data-driven projects involving Berkeley students were among them. Each project named as a finalist receives $5,000 to support the team’s work.

UC Berkeley will host its fourth annual National Workshop on Data Science Education for data science instructors on June 14-18. The event is free to attend. Register by clicking on this link. The workshop, to be held online, is organized by Berkeley’s Division of Computing, Data Science, and Society with support from Microsoft and the West Big Data Innovation Hub.

In the wake of the 2019-20 school year, which ended with a pandemic-inflicted ban on graduations, UC Berkeley is allowing this year’s graduates to cap the year in much the same way they experienced it -- online. This year’s ceremonies were a contrast from a year ago when all commencements were canceled. In addition to their online festivities, students were invited to participate in a live, in-person walk across the Greek Theater stage -- socially distanced and masked -- in a live streaming event May 16-21

For the 668 UC Berkeley students who received their Data Science bachelor’s degrees on Saturday, May 15, it was a graduation day like no other, coming on the heels of an academic year like no other. Due to pandemic restrictions, students and their families celebrated their graduation via the program’s first-ever virtual commencement premiering on YouTube. The ceremony featured commencement speakers, student and faculty awards, and a surprise appearance by Cal mascot Oski the Bear.