Academic Administration Positions
DEAN, IOVINE YOUNG ACADEMY (IYA), UNIVERSITY OF Southern California (August 2021 – july 2025)
Dean Rikakis worked closely with the IYA faculty and staff, as well as industry partners, to advance a unique alignment of IYA’s transdisciplinary curriculum with emerging and future industry needs in cross-functional product and process innovation. The resulting learning structures increased visibility and resources for the school significantly (the tuition income of the school was doubled in four years) and advanced programmatic and financial resilience. Dean Rikakis also partnered with the IYA faculty to structure and implement a transdisciplinary peer review process and related faculty handbook. IYA expanded its internal programmatic collaborations and created new degrees in Human Technology Interaction (in partnership with the Viterbi School of Engineering), and in Business of Innovation degree (in partnership with the Marshal School of Business). The new degrees, along with the powerful original IYA degree in Arts, Technology and Business of Innovation, create a unique ecosystem for the implementing the Challenge Based Reflective Learning (CBRL) framework of the IYA. The CBRL motivates learning through complex product and process challenges provided by industry and community partners, as well as driven by students and faculty. The IYA was founded in 2013 through a visionary $70,000,000 gift from Jimmy Iovine and Andre, Dr. Dre, Young(https://iovine-young.usc.edu/)
Founding DIRECTOR, Calhoun Honors Discovery Program (March 2018-August 2021)
The CHDP was a pilot program of the Virginia Tech (VT) Honors College and established through a $20,000,000 gift by David Calhoun (former CEO of Boeing and VT alumnus). Students in the CHDP combined disciplinary coursework with transdisciplinary, hands-on learning experiences driven by industry and community partners. The program had a modular and adaptive curriculum supported by an innovative distributed learning and collaboration platform. The integration theme of the curriculum was “collaborative sociotechnical innovation for sustainable development.” Eleven degree programs with complimentary approaches to the theme participated in the program: Business Information Technology, Business Management, Communication, Computational Modeling and Data Analytics, Creative Technologies, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Policy & Planning, Professional and Technical Communication. The program provided full scholarships and attracted a diverse student body. Founding industry partners included CAT, GE, AFP, Boeing as well as non-profit organizations. Over 25 faculty from the participating disciplines and 20 professors of practice from industry and community were involved in the design, instruction, and management of the program (https://honorscollege.vt.edu/cdp.html).
Director, Calhoun Center for Higher Education Innovation (March 2018-August 2021)
The Calhoun Center for Higher Education Innovation facilitated an international conversation on “adaptive, life-long learning for an inclusive knowledge economy” and the diverse partnerships and platforms facilitating this type of learning. 70 participants from 32 organizations spanning academia, community, industry, and K-12 developed a report on these issues (https://doi.org/10.21061/adaptive-learning-report).
Executive Vice President and Provost, Virginia Tech, (August 2015-October 2017)
Responsible for the university's instructional, research, and outreach programs and the co-development of the academic budget and strategy of the university. Led a number of key new initiatives that are widely embraced by the University community and are resulting in significant gains for the institution. The University is continuing to credit Dr. Rikakis leadership for its current momentum (see for example: https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2019/09/provost-the-rankings-2019.html):
Co-chair of the Beyond Boundaries visioning exercise and report for the future of the university. (http://www.beyondboundaries.vt.edu/)
Development of cross university, transdisciplinary, multifunction (research, education, engagement) communities of discovery. These dynamic communities leverage university differentiating strengths and help the university and region become a global destination for talent (and were thus named destination areas). (https://provost.vt.edu/destination-areas.html)
Development of a new resource model for the university; the Partnership for an Incentive Based Budget (PIBB). The PIBB provides multidimensional data and decision support for customized long-term planning by each College across instruction, research and engagement. (https://cafm.vt.edu/content/dam/cafm_vt_edu/buspracseminars/2017_seminar/Partnership%20for%20Incentive%20Base%20Budget.pdf)
Development of plans for the integration of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine into VT and the expansion of the VTC School of Medicine and Research Institute into the Roanoke Health Sciences and Technology Campus (https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2016/03/bov-hstdistrict.html)
Collaborated with university leadership, faculty and industry on the VT Metropolitan Innovation X plan (VT MIX) for the expansion of VT in the DC Metropolitan region through thematic cross sector efforts. The plan provided the base for the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus in the Amazon HQ2 proposal (https://vt.edu/innovationcampus/news/story.html) and the Virginia Cybersecurity initiative (Cyber X).
Development of the College Access Collaborative that aims to increase academic preparation, access and affordability for first-generation, low-income, underrepresented minorities (Black, Latino, Native American), women and students from rural and inner-city communities (https://access.edm.vt.edu/). The CAC and related changes in admissions procedures has led to a significant increase in recruiting of students from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds.
Hired four new deans and four new academic vice presidents and achieved a gender balanced academic cabinet for the first time in the history of the institution. https://roanoke.com/news/education/virginia-tech-names-first-female-engineering-dean/article_a92dd4cd-4291-5d12-afbe-e3dd98fbd2fa.html
Collaborated with the Vice President for Administration and Sasaki Associates for the development of the new campus master plan highlighting transdisciplinary districts; plan received a SUCP excellence award (https://www.facilities.vt.edu/planning-construction/campus-master-plan/about.html).
Worked with the ACC provosts on the support and launching of the ACC Smithsonian Creativity and Innovation Festival. (http://acceleratefestival.com/)
Collaborated with the Deans, Chairs, and Faculty Senate to create the Collegiate Faculty track for faculty focused on pedagogy. The track offers multi-year contracts and formalized regular reviews for promotion.
Initiated a conversation with Deans, Chairs, and the Faculty Senate to establish a global context for review and support of faculty scholarship. From 2015 to 2018 the VT scholarship score gained 30 points in the Times global rankings (going from 40 to 70) and the University moved up 75 places in the Shanghai rankings (the fastest gains ever by the University).
Worked with the Vice President for Advancement to implement the Advancement model across all colleges. From 2015 onwards, VT has had record setting fund raising years.
Worked with the Vice President for IT and a cross-college group of faculty and administrators on plans for scaling technology assisted adaptive learning across the University curriculum.
Secured significant gifts and contracts for the University (see Gifts section of CV).
The scope, scale and tight schedules of the above initiatives, coupled with complex resistance made change management very challenging. I stepped down on November 1, 2017 in order to assist the university in calibrating its pace moving forward and to allow me to focus on innovative initiatives. See University press release (https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2017/10/evp-clarke.html)
Vice Provost for Design, Arts and Technology; Carnegie Mellon University (2012-2015)
o Responsible for university wide curriculum and research efforts that focus on new creative industries and integrate technology, arts and innovation expertise. Position reported to the Provost and was part of the Academic Leadership Council (ALC) of the University and the University Promotion and Tenure committee. Position was also responsible for fundraising efforts related to cross cutting creative industries initiatives at CMU (see Gifts and Contracts section).
o Led the development of the Integrative Design, Arts and Technology network (IDeATe), http://ideate.cmu.edu. IDeATe has participation from over 70 faculty from 15 different units. The IDeATe network designed and launched eight undergraduate concentrations on new creative industries themes related to cross-cutting CMU strengths: Game Design, Animation and Special Effects, Media Design, Sonic Arts, Design for Learning, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Intelligent Environments, Physical Computing. The concentrations, open to all undergraduates at CMU, are served by 35 interdisciplinary, studio-based courses that promote learning through collaborative making. Over 400 students are enrolled in IDeATe concentrations. A new facility was created for IDeATe at the central library of the university. The facility includes collaborative studios/classrooms, an interactive media lab/black-box, a physical computing lab, a digital fabrication lab, a sound lab, a portable media check out facility and standard fabrication facilities. Satellite collaborative making facilities are being developed throughout the University including dormitories and other common spaces. The annual budget of the IDeATe undergraduate curriculum is supported 50% through tuition and 50% through external income.
o The IDeATe network also designed the CMU Integrative Media Program (IMP) in NYC at Steiner Studios in partnership with the City of NY (part of the NYC Applied Sciences Initiative). The IMP comprised four inter-related, interdisciplinary Masters degrees: Emerging Media Masters (offered collaboratively by the School of Computer Science, College of Fine Arts and College of Engineering), Masters in Computational Data Science (School of Computer Science), Masters in Integrated Innovation (offered through the College of Engineering, Tepper School of Business and School of Design), and Masters in Urban Design (School of Architecture) (https://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2013/november/nov20_steinerstudios.html)
o The Vice Provost position also supervised the Entertainment Technology Center (ETC). Founded by Randy Pausch and Don Marinelli, the ETC is a premiere professional center for interactive entertainment with special focus on the art and science of game design and development. The ETC offers a two-year Master of Entertainment Technology (MET) degree that is jointly conferred by the School of Computer Science and the College of Fine Arts. (https://www.etc.cmu.edu )
Founding Director; School of Arts, Media and Engineering (AME); Arizona State University (2003- 2012)
Led the development of the vision, research and education models of the School and the creation of joint graduate and undergraduate curricula with twelve units at ASU spanning engineering, sciences, humanities, arts and design. Let the development and establishment of a transdisciplinary BA in Digital Culture and a PhD degree in Media Arts and Sciences. Oversaw the hiring of 12 interdisciplinary faculty, 10 administrative and technical staff and recruiting of an interdisciplinary student body. The School brought together its highly differentiated participants through transdisciplinary themes relating to media applications in health, education, communication and creativity. The School developed interdisciplinary promotion and tenure criteria customazible to each faculty through an MOU. By 2012, the School had 250 undergraduate and 50 graduate students and an operating budget of $2,000,000 (with $800,000 coming from an endowment). The School produced research expenditures of over $750,000 a year. The founding director led the securing of significant gifts and grants for the realization of the school (see Gifts and Grants sections of CV). http://ame.asu.edu
Director, Institute for Studies in the Arts (ISA), Arizona State University (2001 – 2003)
Prepared the evolution of the ISA (a research unit without an educational mission) into the School of Arts, Media and Engineering. Managed the arts and technology research and creative activities and the development/fundraising activities of the Institute. Supervised the financial, infrastructure and personnel activities.
Associate Director, Computer Music Center (CMC), Columbia University (1995-2001)
Director of Research and Development; headed the development of interdisciplinary research and education projects, fundraising and outreach activities and managed the finances http://music.columbia.edu/cmc
Director, Institute of Psychoacoustics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece (1992-2000)
Led the development of the academic structure and research mission of the Institute, and its outreach and fundraising activities. The Institute was a joint project of the Medical School, Engineering School, Department of Music and Department of Psychology. Spent a total of 24 months physically in Greece over the eight years of my association with the Institute with the rest of the work done remotely.
Director, Computer Music Center, Center for Contemporary Music Research (Ianis Xenakis, President), Greece (1991-94)
Developed and taught beginner and advanced courses in computer music; planned, installed and maintained computing and digital audio infrastructure