Kirsten Martin Installed as H. John Heinz III Dean of Heinz College

Kirsten Martin arrived at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy in July 2025 as the questions around technology, ethics and society - the questions at the heart of her decades-long research and leadership - were having a bit of a moment.

That moment has only intensified as the CMU community gathered on October 8, 2026, to celebrate her installation as the H. John Heinz III Dean of the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.

University leaders, trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, family members and friends attended the ceremony, where CMU President Farnam Jahanian and Provost and Chief Academic Officer Jim Garrett, formally installed Martin and presented her with a personalized captain’s chair, in recognition of her named chair at the university, and a quaich (pronounced “quake”), a traditional Scottish drinking cup offered as a gesture of friendship and welcome. 

Martin came to CMU with a lengthy record of scholarship and academic leadership that spans technology ethics, privacy, corporate responsibility and ethical data practices. She previously held endowed faculty chairs at both George Washington University and the University of Notre Dame, where she also directed the Notre Dame Technology Ethics Center. Her career has included testimony and briefings for the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Academies.

^{President Farnam Jahanian addresses the audience.}

In his remarks at the installation, Jahanian described Martin as a standout candidate from the beginning of the search process. He noted that she has already made an important impact at Carnegie Mellon in the year since joining, not only through her leadership at Heinz College, but also by helping to shape the early plans for CMU Miami. “I know her insight and strong leadership will continue to be a significant force in shaping what comes next for Heinz College, for Carnegie Mellon University and for the society we serve.”

Jahanian and Garrett also recognized the longstanding partnership among Carnegie Mellon, the Heinz family and the Heinz Endowments. The former School of Urban and Public Affairs was renamed the H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management in 1992, and a 1996 gift endowed the dean’s chair. With further support from the Heinz Endowments, CMU established the H. John Heinz III College in 2007, bringing together the School of Public Policy and Management and the School of Information Systems and Management.

Professor Amelia Haviland, the E.J. Barone Professor of Health Systems Management and senior associate dean for faculty and research at Heinz College, co-chaired the search committee and offered a personal account of the characteristics that make Martin so distinctive.

^{Professor Amelia Haviland introduces Dean Kirsten Martin.}

Haviland said that Martin’s poise, energy and upbeat spirit made an immediate impression. She noted that Martin’s preparation, willingness to listen and ability to see the college with a fresh perspective were also striking.

“Dean Martin identified opportunities for Heinz College that even longtime faculty members who think and care deeply about Heinz College hadn’t seen or articulated nearly as clearly,” Haviland said. “More than a year later, her energy and positive spirit have galvanized the Heinz community to meet this consequential moment.”

In her remarks, Martin reflected on what she has observed during her first 15 months as dean.

Martin said she was aware of Heinz College’s reputation for rigorous, evidence-based research and for its interdisciplinary approach. After engaging with faculty during the last year, she gained a deeper appreciation for how economists, statisticians, operations researchers, social scientists, information systems scholars and machine learning experts collaborate to address problems that cannot be solved within a single discipline.

“The bottom line is that our faculty are constantly rising to the occasion and collaborating to solve the greatest needs,” Martin said. “It’s our legacy, and I’ve seen it in action all year.”

Martin also praised the staff for responding creatively to complex challenges in higher education. 

“I’ve come to realize that’s what Heinz College culture is. People cross boundaries,” Martin said. “They come together, and they solve the problem.”

Martin said that same spirit is evident among Heinz College students and alumni. Their thoughtful feedback helped the college adapt its curriculum during the last year to prepare students for rapidly evolving workforce needs across industries, nonprofit organizations and government.

“In many ways, the world is moving toward the questions Heinz College has been asking — and answering — for decades,” Martin said.

Martin concluded the event by sharing her thoughts about the future.

“Heinz College moves society forward by working across boundaries to turn data, evidence and human insight into better decisions, intelligent action and lasting progress. It’s what we’re best at, and what we’re committed to doing,” Martin said. “I’m honored to lead this extraordinary college and I’m excited for the work ahead.”