From Chennai to Cambridge: Appointment of MIT’s First Indian-American Provost Marks Historic Milestone

In a quiet office overlooking the bustling MIT campus, Professor Anantha Chandrakasan reflects on a journey that began in Chennai, India, and has culminated in his appointment as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s new provost — making him the first Indian-American to hold the institution’s second-highest academic position.

“I feel deeply honored to take on the role of provost,” Chandrakasan said in MIT’s official announcement, with his appointment effective July 1, 2025. “Looking ahead, I see myself as a key facilitator, enabling faculty, students, postdocs, and staff to continue making extraordinary contributions to the nation and the world.”

The appointment, announced by MIT President Sally Kornbluth on June 16 according to MIT News Office, represents more than just another administrative transition. As reported by EdexLive, it makes Chandrakasan “the first Indian-American to hold a top academic leadership position” at MIT, symbolizing the growing influence of Indian-origin academics in top-tier American universities.

Diversity in Academic Leadership

Chandrakasan’s appointment comes at a time when American higher education faces increasing political scrutiny and policy changes. While the specific details of current federal policies toward universities continue to evolve, his elevation to provost represents a significant milestone for diversity in academic leadership — achieved through three decades of demonstrated excellence and institutional contribution.

The appointment carries particular resonance for the Indian-American academic community and highlights how merit-based advancement continues to create opportunities for diverse leadership in higher education.

Chandrakasan’s story begins in Chennai where he was born before making the transformative journey to the United States for higher education — a path taken by countless Indian students seeking opportunities in American academia. After earning his bachelor’s (1989), master’s (1990), and doctoral (1994) degrees in electrical engineering and computer sciences from UC Berkeley, as detailed in MIT’s official biography, he joined MIT’s faculty in 1994, beginning what would become a three-decade odyssey of academic excellence and institutional leadership.

“People consider me intense, which might be true,” Chandrakasan told MIT News in his appointment interview. “The reality is that I’m deeply passionate about the academic mission of MIT to create breakthrough technologies, educate the next generation of leaders, and serve the country and the world.”

That intensity has translated into remarkable achievements. Chandrakasan has amassed over 120,000 citations for his work in energy-efficient circuits and systems. More telling, perhaps, is his role as a mentor: according to MIT records, he has successfully advised or co-advised 78 PhD students, each representing a thread in the expanding web of his academic influence.

“To understand the pain points of our researcher scholars, you have to be in the trenches,” he explained to MIT News, referencing his continued active research even while taking on increasingly demanding administrative roles.

His ascent through MIT’s hierarchy, as detailed in the official announcement, reads like a masterclass in institutional leadership. After joining the faculty in 1994, he directed the Microsystems Technology Laboratories from 2006 to 2011, then led the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science — MIT’s largest academic department — for six years before becoming Dean of the School of Engineering in 2017.

The Innovation Architect

But it’s Chandrakasan’s role as MIT’s inaugural Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer, a position he assumed in 2024 according to the MIT announcement, that perhaps best captures his vision for the institution’s future. Working directly with President Kornbluth, he orchestrated the launch of several ambitious Institute-wide initiatives that reflect his belief in cross-disciplinary collaboration.

These include the MIT Human Insight Collaborative (MITHIC), designed to bridge STEM fields with humanities and social sciences; the MIT Generative AI Impact Consortium (MGAIC); and the MIT Health and Life Sciences Collaborative (MIT HEALS), as outlined in MIT’s official statement. Each initiative represents what Chandrakasan calls “new models for how academia and industry can work together to accelerate the pace of research.”

“There is a tremendous opportunity for MIT to be at the center of the innovations in areas where the United States wants to lead,” he said in his appointment announcement. “It’s about AI. It’s about semiconductors. It’s about quantum, the biosecurity and biomanufacturing space — but not only that. We need students who can do more than just code or design or build. We really need students who understand the human perspective and human insights.”

The broader Indian-American academic community has produced remarkable leaders, including MIT’s own Abhijit Banerjee, who won the 2019 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his experimental approach to alleviating global poverty.

A Proud Tradition

Chandrakasan’s appointment continues a distinguished tradition of Indian-origin scholars making significant contributions to American academic institutions. While MIT has long attracted brilliant minds from India, few have reached the institutional heights that Chandrakasan now occupies.

The broader Indian-American academic community has produced remarkable leaders, including MIT’s own Abhijit Banerjee, who won the 2019 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his experimental approach to alleviating global poverty. Other Indian-origin Nobel laureates who have influenced American academia include biochemist Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (2009 Chemistry) and the legendary astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (1983 Physics).

Challenges Ahead

As provost, Chandrakasan inherits responsibility for MIT’s educational programs, faculty affairs, and budget planning at a time when higher education faces unprecedented challenges. From artificial intelligence disruption to geopolitical tensions affecting international collaboration, MIT must navigate complex waters while maintaining its position at the forefront of technological innovation.

Chandrakasan has identified three overarching priorities: strategic financial planning, attracting and retaining top talent, and supporting cross-cutting research and entrepreneurship programs. To achieve these goals, he plans to establish faculty advisory groups across MIT’s five schools and college, along with student and external advisory councils.

“Recognizing that each school and other academic units operate within a unique context, I plan to engage deeply with their leaders to understand their challenges and aspirations,” he says.

The Mentor’s Approach

Those who have worked with Chandrakasan describe a leader who combines strategic vision with genuine care for individual development. During his tenure as engineering dean, he welcomed 110 new faculty members and oversaw 274 promotion cases, while launching programs like the Graduate Student Advisory Group (GradSage) and the MIT School of Engineering Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.

His commitment to fostering the next generation extends beyond traditional metrics. Programs like “SuperUROP” (Advanced Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program) and Rising Stars — an annual event for graduate and postdoc women in EECS — reflect his understanding that institutional excellence depends on nurturing talent at every level.

President Kornbluth’s confidence in Chandrakasan is evident in her announcement to the MIT community: “Anantha brings to this post an exceptional record of shaping and leading important innovations for the Institute. I am particularly grateful that we will be able to draw on Anantha’s depth and breadth of experience; his nimbleness, entrepreneurial spirit and boundless energy.”

The president also noted Chandrakasan’s “remarkable record in raising funds from outside sources for important ideas” — a crucial skill as universities increasingly rely on external partnerships and philanthropy to fund ambitious research programs.

As Chandrakasan prepares to guide MIT through this evolving landscape, he remains grounded in the principles that have shaped his career: excellence, innovation, and collaboration. His appointment as the first Indian-American provost represents both historical significance and institutional confidence in merit-based leadership.

“I’m not afraid to try bold things,” he says, a statement that takes on particular meaning as universities navigate changing political and social expectations while maintaining their commitment to academic excellence.

For an institution that has long prided itself on pushing boundaries and challenging conventions, Chandrakasan’s appointment represents both continuity and change — a leader who brings global perspective and exceptional credentials earned through decades of distinguished service.

In Chandrakasan’s office, where the weight of history meets the promise of tomorrow, the journey from Chennai to Cambridge continues to unfold, one breakthrough at a time.