Maria Yang named new vice provost for faculty

Dear colleagues,

I am delighted to share the news that Maria Yang, the William E. Leonhard (1940) Professor of Mechanical Engineering, will become MIT’s next vice provost for faculty, effective February 16. 

A trusted champion for colleagues

In the nearly two decades since Maria joined the MIT faculty, she has exemplified dedicated service to the Institute and deep interdisciplinary collaboration.

Maria has served as associate dean, deputy dean, and interim dean of the School of Engineering, where she has been closely involved in faculty recruitment, retention, and promotion; led efforts to improve mentoring for graduate students and postdocs; and helped faculty members navigate difficult situations. Through all of this, she consistently demonstrated her skill as a leader, her empathy as a colleague, and her values-driven decision-making.

As associate director of the Morningside Academy for Design, faculty academic director of D-Lab, and co-chair of the SHASS+ Connectivity Fund, Maria has forged meaningful relationships with colleagues from a variety of disciplines. I have no doubt that in her new role she will be an effective and trusted champion for colleagues across the Institute. 

Maria, who earned her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from MIT in 1991 before attending Stanford for her PhD, is an internationally recognized leader in design theory and design process. Her research explores early-stage design processes – from products to engineering systems and beyond – to develop designs for compelling new products and systems that improve sustainability, support economic competitiveness, and drive growth in emerging markets.

In 2013, Maria was named an American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Fellow in recognition of her engineering achievements. In 2024, she received the ASME Design Theory and Methodology Award, recognizing “sustained and meritorious contributions” in the field. In 2017, Maria was named a MacVicar Faculty Fellow, one of MIT’s highest teaching honors.

The role of vice provost for faculty

The vice provost for faculty provides leadership, guidance, and oversight of Institute-wide strategies and programs to recruit and retain world-class faculty members; advance faculty excellence and help faculty members develop professionally at all stages of their careers; and foster a culture in which all faculty members can do their best work, pursuing bold ideas with excellence and creativity. 

In addition, the vice provost partners with schools and departments on strategic planning and mentorship activities, and handles oversight and planning responsibilities for campus academic and research spaces. The vice provost also oversees a number of other Institute programs and initiatives, such as Solve and NSF I-Corps, and acts as a delegate for me on key boards and committees, including MIT International and the Axim Collaborative.

With gratitude

Maria takes over from Institute Professor Paula Hammond, who became dean of the School of Engineering in January. I am grateful to Paula for all the characteristic care she has shown to provide for a smooth transition for Maria.

I’d also like to thank the members of the search advisory committee (listed below), chaired by Professor Jinhua Zhao. The committee members hit the ground running in January, and moved expeditiously but thoughtfully to advance the search.

Please join me in congratulating Maria on her new role. 

Sincerely,

Anantha P. Chandrakasan
Provost

Vice Provost for Faculty Search Committee

Jinhua Zhao, chair; Class of 1941 Professor of Cities and Transportation, Department of Urban Studies and Planning

Laurie Boyer, Professor of Biology

Vivek Farias, Patrick J. McGovern (1959) Professor, Sloan School of Management

Dennis Freeman, Henry Ellis Warren (1894) Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Jeffrey Grossman, Morton (1924) and Claire Goulder and Family Professor in Environmental Systems, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Roger Levy, Professor of Brain and Cognitive Sciences; Chair of the Faculty

Melissa Nobles, Class of 1922 Professor, Department of Political Science; Chancellor

Heather Paxson, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor, Anthropology Section; Associate Dean for Faculty, School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Dan Delgado, staff to the committee; Senior Director of HR and Finance, Office of the Provost