Carnegie Mellon Names 2025 University Professors

Three Carnegie Mellon University faculty members have been chosen to receive the title of University Professor in 2025. University Professors are internationally recognized leaders in their fields, selected for the distinction based on their contributions to education, artistic creativity and/or research.

The impact of the work done by University Professors can be seen both within their respective institutions and beyond. The title is meant to reflect the value of their work as the highest designation a faculty member can receive at Carnegie Mellon.

Kenneth Koedinger

Kenneth Koedinger(opens in new window) is a professor of human-computer interaction(opens in new window) and psychology(opens in new window) at Carnegie Mellon University.

Koedinger has a master’s degree in computer science, a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology and experience as a high school teacher. In 1998, Koedinger co-founded Carnegie Learning, Inc.(opens in new window), a K-12 organization focused on education technology, curriculum and professional learning solutions.

He also leads LearnLab(opens in new window), the Pittsburgh Science of Learning Center, which leverages computational approaches to identify the ideal conditions for student learning. LearnLab serves as the scientific arm of CMU's Simon Initiative(opens in new window), which seeks to leverage the wide range of expertise available at Carnegie Mellon to measurably improve student learning outcomes at all levels of education.

Koedinger’s multidisciplinary background supports his research goals of understanding human learning and creating educational technologies that increase student achievement. His research has contributed new principles and techniques for the design of educational software, and has produced basic cognitive science research results on the nature of mathematical thinking and learning.

Kristen Kurland

Kristen Kurland(opens in new window) has most recently served in the role of teaching professor of architecture, information systems and public policy at Carnegie Mellon’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy(opens in new window) and School of Architecture(opens in new window). She also holds a courtesy faculty appointment in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department(opens in new window) of the College of Engineering(opens in new window) at CMU and a faculty adjunct appointment at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine(opens in new window).

In addition to her academic appointments, Kurland served as president of CMU’s Andrew Carnegie Society(opens in new window) and a university trustee from 2014 to 2016.

Kurland's work focuses on interdisciplinary collaborations in health, the built environment, geospatial analysis, and 3D data visualization. She works closely with CMU colleagues and students on projects addressing big data, economic development, public policy, smart and healthy cities, sustainability and urban design. She actively collaborates with academic, health care, government, nonprofit and industry organizations in Pittsburgh and worldwide. 

She is the chair of the Geographical and Geospatial Sciences Committee of The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. She also serves on the National Academy of Sciences Board on Earth Sciences and Resources.

“Being named a University Professor is a profound honor — one that recognizes my past achievements while inspiring future contributions,” shared Kurland. “It affirms my commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship, teaching and service, and motivates me to lead, mentor and collaborate in advancing knowledge and tackling some of the world's most pressing challenges.”

Gregory Rohrer

Gregory Rohrer(opens in new window) is the W.W. Mullins Professor of Materials Science and Engineering. He received his bachelor’s degree in physics from Franklin and Marshall College, and his doctoral degree in materials science and engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.

In 1990 he joined Carnegie Mellon’s faculty, and from 2005 to 2021 he was the head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering(opens in new window).

Rohrer is a fellow of the American Ceramic Society and has authored or co-authored more than 360 publications, and he is currently the coordinating editor of the Acta Materialia family of journals.

“Being named a University Professor is a tremendous honor for me,” Rohrer said. “My 35 years in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering have been filled with memorable interactions with brilliant students and colleagues. These interactions have made it possible for me to learn something new every day, and in this profession, that is the most satisfying reward.”