Carolyn Rosé will take over as interim director of the Language Technologies Institute as the School of Computer Science continues its search for a new director of that department.

Rosé, a professor in the LTI and Human-Computer Interaction Institute, studies conversation and how to improve it between people and with computers. She earned her master's degree and Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University and joined the university's faculty in 2003.

"My goal is to draw from my research on collaboration to build up community and improve communication and interdisciplinary collaboration within the department and with SCS," Rosé said, noting that despite hard work by the department to stay connected during the pandemic, the community spirit of faculty, staff and students has suffered. "I join you all as we move together to rebuild and move forward."

LTI has been without a full-time director since Jaime Carbonell, the founder of the institute, died in February 2020. Jamie Callan was appointed interim director, and after 18 months in the role, stepped down on August 15.

Callan said it was an honor to serve the department and thanked those who helped. He gave Rosé his full support and asked the department to do the same.

"I could not have done it without your help," Callan said. "It is time for me to devote a little more time to teaching and research."

SCS Dean Martial Hebert thanked both Callan for shepherding LTI under difficult conditions and Rosé for taking on the position. SCS has hired a search firm to assist with finding a new LTI director.