Professor Hank Childs has been named interim executive director of the School of Computer and Data Sciences, succeeding Joe Sventek, who is retiring June 2024. Childs is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences.  

"I am really excited for the chance to help SCDS move forward over this next year, in particular strengthening connections both inside and outside campus," Childs said. "I am also deeply appreciative to Joe, whose excellent work in this role laid a strong foundation for us to build upon."

In 2013, Childs joined the University of Oregon as an assistant professor in computer science. Before joining the UO, Hank spent 10 years at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), developing visualization software and researching the visualization of large data sets. In 2009, he transferred to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to develop new collaborations for visualization software, and maintained his role at the lab through 2016, splitting his time between the UO and LBNL. While at LBNL, he was the chief software architect for $20 million of research and development funding over three different multi-institution projects 

At the UO, Childs' research centers on the development of a new generation of visualization software, and he frequently collaborates with the US Department of Energy. He recently served as the interim vice provost for Academic Affairs, where he managed major reviews. Since joining the UO, he has received more than $4 million in grants and has won numerous university-wide and industry teaching and research awards.

During his tenure as executive director, Sventak helped shape the future of SCDS since its inception. He worked to broaden awareness of the School of Computer and Data Sciences in Oregon, and beyond, including the tech industry. He also built a community in the school that values innovation, inclusion, and excellence. 

The school will continue to search for its permanent executive director. The job will be posted in early summer and the school plans to have on-campus interviews with candidates in the fall.