Maria Klawe served as the fifth president of Harvey Mudd College from 2006 until 2023, where she presided over a significant shift in gender representation. During her tenure, the institution increased its female student population to approximately 50 percent, while simultaneously expanding the percentage of female faculty members to more than 40 percent of the total staff.
Academic and Professional Origins
Born in Toronto in 1951, Klawe spent her childhood years in Scotland before moving to Edmonton, Alberta. She attended Strathcona Composite High School and pursued higher education at the University of Alberta. After a brief hiatus, she completed her B.Sc. in 1973 and earned a Ph.D. in mathematics in 1977. Her early teaching career included a position at Oakland University and a subsequent faculty role at the University of Toronto.
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Before transitioning into executive academic administration, Klawe spent eight years within the private sector at IBM’s Almaden Research Center in San Jose. There, she managed the Discrete Mathematics Group and the Mathematics and Related Computer Science Department. Her academic research contributions include the SMAWK algorithm for matrix searching, geometric optimization problems, and studies investigating the impact of gender on electronic gaming habits.
Institutional Leadership
Klawe served the University of British Columbia for 15 years, holding roles such as head of the Department of Computer Science and dean of science. She later served as the Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Princeton University. Her administrative career is marked by a focus on structural changes to introductory computer science curricula to foster collaborative rather than competitive learning environments.
Advocacy and Recognition
Throughout her career, Klawe has promoted women in STEM through organizations such as the Computing Research Association’s Committee on the Status of Women in Computing Research. She is a fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery, the American Mathematical Society, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2009, she became a naturalized citizen of the United States.
Fast facts
- Born: 1951, Toronto
- Citizenship: Canada and United States
- Education: University of Alberta
- Professional tenure at Harvey Mudd College: 2006-2023
- Industry employment: IBM Almaden Research Center
- Key research contribution: SMAWK algorithm
- U.S. Citizenship obtained: January 29, 2009
Questions readers ask
What is Maria Klawe's primary research focus?
Her research interests have spanned geometric optimization, distributed leader election, the art gallery problem, and the analysis of gender dynamics within computer science education and gaming.
Which major academic institution did she lead for 17 years?
She served as the president of Harvey Mudd College from 2006 until 2023, where she was the first woman to hold the presidency.
Achievements
- Affiliated with University of Toronto, IBM and Princeton University
- Educated at University of Alberta, Strathcona Composite High School and University of Alberta
- Worked as mathematician, computer scientist and academic administrator
