Dr. Marc P. Christensen officially began his duties as executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at The University of Texas at Dallas on July 8. The appointment follows a period in which he served as a special advisor for industry engagement and innovation since February.
Christensen holds the title of Cecil H. Green Distinguished Chair of Academic Leadership. In his new capacity, he oversees academic affairs for the institution located in Richardson. UT Dallas President Prabhas V. Moghe, who holds the Eugene McDermott Distinguished University Chair of Leadership, highlighted Christensen’s extensive background in higher education administration.
Prior to joining the Dallas campus, Christensen served as president of Clarkson University from 2022 to 2024. He previously held the position of dean of engineering at Southern Methodist University for nine years, from 2013 to 2022. During his tenure as an advisor at UT Dallas, he worked with Vice President for Research and Innovation Dr. Joseph J. Pancrazio on academic and federal research partnerships.
A licensed professional engineer and member of the National Academy of Inventors, Christensen specializes in photonics, integrated optical systems, computational imaging, and next-generation sensing technologies. His research has contributed to advancements in national security, advanced communications, and imaging systems.
Christensen earned a Bachelor of Science in engineering physics from Cornell University. He received both his Master of Science and PhD in electrical and computer engineering from George Mason University. Early in his career, he was named a rising star in microsystems research by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and received the inaugural DARPA Young Faculty Award.
His scholarly output includes more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers, along with 10 U.S. patents. He has led numerous interdisciplinary research collaborations supported by federal agencies and industry partners. Christensen is also a professor of electrical and computer engineering.
In a statement regarding his appointment, Christensen expressed honor at serving the university during what he described as a pivotal moment in its history. He cited the institution’s faculty, student body, and ability to integrate disciplines to address real-world challenges as key strengths.