Dietrich College News

Released at the beginning of each month, Dietrich College News is your chance to stay up-to-date on the latest news, events and accomplishments of Dietrich alumni, students, staff and faculty.

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A Day for Jay Devine: CMU's Humble Mentor Gets a Moment in the Spotlight

Jay Devine, associate dean for undergraduate studies in the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, was unsure how to react when he learned that Nov. 3, 2025 had been officially designated as "Dr. Joseph E. Devine Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.

“I’m delighted, flattered and humbled,” Devine said. “It's overwhelming — and mystifying in a way. It’s hard to wrap my arms around because so much of what I am being recognized for has been done in partnership with so many others. It almost feels disingenuous to accept the recognition as if I did it all myself.”

The proclamation by Pittsburgh City Council recognizes Devine for playing “a pivotal role in the success of thousands of Carnegie Mellon University students, mentoring and guiding many through their college years and beyond” and for exemplifying “the quiet, often unrecognized champion whose tireless efforts enrich the lives of others and strengthen the community he serves.”

Learn why Devine's nominator referred to him as "the savior of humanities and social sciences."

Blending Humanistic Inquiry and Technology, Carnegie Mellon Leads a New Era of Cultural Study and Research

Making a big bet on “computational humanities,” Carnegie Mellon University will introduce new academic programs and resources for students and researchers to blend traditional humanistic inquiry — literary interpretation, historical research and cultural critique — with computational methods like computer vision, machine learning, network analysis and data visualization.

“Carnegie Mellon University is the perfect place to lead a new era in computational humanities. We’re not replacing humanistic thinkers with computers in any sense. The humanists will remain solidly in the driver’s seat — they will pose the questions and develop the theories. We are catalyzing interdisciplinary research to empower the humanities in ways that Carnegie Mellon is uniquely capable of doing,” said Richard Scheines, Bess Family Dean of the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. “Our faculty are already shaping this emerging field, and the world needs graduates who can think critically and work across disciplines to understand and improve the human condition.”

Read more about CMU's new Ph.D. in Computational Cultural Studies.

Mixing Lab Rigor with Real Life, CMU Researchers Craft New Recipe for Groundbreaking Alcohol Studies

Nearly 80 percent of Americans aged 12 and older have drank alcohol at least once in their lives, and 10 percent of the population suffers from alcohol use disorder. And yet, scientists still know surprisingly little about how alcohol shapes our social experiences in the moment, such as how we feel, behave and connect with others while drinking, and how this might translate to risk of developing alcohol problems. But Carnegie Mellon University’s Behavioral Health Research Lab hopes to change all of that by treating a simple vodka-cranberry cocktail as a carefully controlled scientific instrument.

“Alcohol is the most commonly used drug in the world, but most studies have examined its effects when people drink alone in a lab. That’s not real life,” said Kasey Creswell, director of graduate studies and an associate professor of psychology at the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. “Our work is uncovering what actually drives drinking in everyday settings, like at parties and on dates, where alcohol often feels most rewarding.”

Read how Creswell's drinking studies simulate social situations.

Faculty Spotlight: Mejgan Massoumi

Mejgan Massoumi is an assistant professor in Carnegie Mellon University’s Department of History. Her research and teaching interests are focused on connective histories of media, sound and popular culture, with a specific focus on Global South cultural circulations in poetry, music, memory and artistic resistance.

"At the heart of my work is this deep interest about how people stay connected, especially through music, literature and art, and during times of rupture or crisis," says Massoumi. "My first book, tentatively titled 'Radio Afghanistan: The Sounds of Kabul and the Remaking of a Modern Nation,' looks at the role of radio in everyday life in Afghanistan during the 1960s and 1970s. This was sort of a period of intense change. Political changes and radio became this powerful medium that shaped how people imagined and saw themselves and the world around them."

Read about Massoumi's interest in non-western perspectives in media history and critical sound studies.

Upcoming Events

• Faculty Dialogues: Economic Theory, Game Theory and the Reality of Tariffs Webinar: Join a panel of CMU experts, including Philosophy and SDS professor Kevin Zollman, as they explore game theory and economic theory. This event is virtual, free and takes place on Jan. 28 from 4 to 5 p.m.

• New Years Brunch in Sandy Springs (Atlanta): Start the new year by connecting with alumni in professional fields like analytics, arts, consulting, energy, non-profits and more. Meet at the Brooklyn Cafe on Jan. 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Puzzled Pint (Pittsburgh): Join a team of other CMU alumni for a casual, social puzzle-solving event on Jan. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. CMU swag will be up for grabs!

• Faculty Dialogues: Is Mathematics Obsolete?: Join Jeremy Avigad, the Dean's Chair in Logic and Philosophy of Mathematics, for a discussion of the importance of mathematical and symbolic reasoning in the age of AI and why society needs to be careful as it navigates the changes ahead. This re-scheduled event will take place on Jan. 21 from 12 to 1 p.m.

• Winter Happy Hour (Austin): Come enjoy a happy hour with other great Tartans at Brewtorium on Jan. 29 from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Alumni Events: From cherished, in-person Carnegie Mellon traditions to virtual learning experiences with researchers at the cutting-edge of their fields, CMU offers a variety of events for alumni to connect with each other and the university, expand their knowledge and networking opportunities, and make memories together. Explore alumni events.

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