Nancy Amato

Head, Department of Computer Science at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Nancy Amato is a distinguished computer scientist and academic leader currently serving as the Abel Bliss Professor and Head of the Department of Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC).1 She assumed this role in January 2019, marking a significant milestone in her career.1

Academic Background

Nancy Amato's educational journey is impressive and diverse:

She holds two bachelor's degrees from Stanford University, earned between 1982 and 1986:
- A.B. in Economics
- BS in Mathematical Sciences1
She then pursued graduate studies in computer science:
- MS from the University of California, Berkeley (1987-1988)
- PhD from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (1988-1995)1

Professional Experience

Prior to her current position at UIUC, Nancy Amato had a long and distinguished career at Texas A&M University:

She served as a Professor at Texas A&M from January 1995 to January 2019, spanning 24 years.1
In January 2019, she transitioned to her current role at UIUC, where she has been for over 5 years.1

Leadership and Impact

As the Head of the Department of Computer Science at UIUC, Nancy Amato leads one of the top-ranked computer science programs in the nation. Under her leadership, the department has continued to excel and innovate:

The UIUC Computer Science graduate program is ranked 5th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.2
She has been instrumental in expanding the department's reach, including the launch of a new Professional Master of Computer Science degree program in Chicago.2

Nancy Amato's role as an Abel Bliss Professor is a prestigious position established through an estate gift from Helen E. Bliss in memory of her father, Abel Bliss.3 This professorship recognizes outstanding faculty members in engineering at UIUC.

Throughout her career, Nancy Amato has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in research, education, and leadership in the field of computer science. Her work at UIUC continues to shape the future of computing education and research.