Madison Reporter

Tom Erickson, the executive associate dean for strategy and innovation and founding director of the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences (CDIS) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, has announced his decision to step down from his leadership roles in January 2025. Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau, a distinguished professor of computer sciences, will take over as head of CDIS.

Erickson has been leading CDIS since its inception in 2019. He expressed gratitude for his time at the school: “When I accepted this role, my goal was simple: to offer the same life-changing opportunities I had as a student to future generations,” he said. After stepping down, Erickson plans to focus on human flourishing and consciousness.

During his tenure, Erickson oversaw several achievements including a $267 million campaign for Morgridge Hall and an increase in student enrollment from 3,200 to 6,200. Under his guidance, entry-level computing and data science classes expanded by 151%, serving over 9,000 students annually. New academic programs were launched and entrepreneurial initiatives expanded under his leadership.

Eric Wilcots, dean of the College of Letters & Science, acknowledged Erickson's contributions: “Tom’s vision and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the future of the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences.”

Before joining UW–Madison, Erickson had a notable career in the software industry. He co-chaired a university working group on computing which led to CDIS's formation.

Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau is set to assume leadership on January 1, 2025. He praised Erickson's impact: “Tom’s impact on CDIS and the broader university is immeasurable.” Arpaci-Dusseau is recognized internationally for his research in storage and distributed systems. His work has earned him numerous awards including the Mark Weiser Award.

Wilcots also commented on Arpaci-Dusseau’s new role: “His leadership as department chair and his passion for advancing computing research and education make him the ideal person to lead CDIS into this next phase.”

Arpaci-Dusseau has been involved with UW–Madison for 24 years. His extensive experience will aid in a smooth transition as he continues advancing research prowess and enhancing academic programs at CDIS.