Michael Young Recognized for Outreach
The MCS associate dean for community engagement won the 2026 Mark Gelfand Award for Educational Outreach
Heidi Opdyke
- Associate Dean of Marketing and Communications, MCS
- Email opdyke@andrew.cmu.edu
- Phone 412-268-9982
A leader committed to expanding access to STEM education and careers, Michael Young champions educational outreach and has reshaped how science — and mathematical science, in particular — connects communities at Carnegie Mellon University and beyond.
Young, an associate professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences and associate dean for community engagement in the Mellon College of Science, has started a number of nationwide initiatives and held several leadership roles geared toward addressing inequity in education, including being a key member of the CMU Rales Fellows Program and the Learnvia initiative, a collaborative effort to bolster math skills in learners of all types.
“His career is a masterclass in sustained, high-impact community engagement, effectively bridging the gap between the rigorous academic environment of Carnegie Mellon University and the vital educational needs of our local and national communities,” said M. Shernell Smith, associate dean and executive director of the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion.
At the Mellon College of Science, Young, a CMU alumnus, champions a model where undergraduate and graduate students are active participants in outreach. Under his leadership, students serve as mentors, instructors and research assistants, gaining firsthand experience applying advanced mathematics in real‑world contexts. This “two‑way street” of learning fosters empathy, civic responsibility, and a deep understanding that technical expertise carries a responsibility to serve the broader community.
Through programs such as the Summer Academy for Math & Science (SAMS) for high school students, Young has helped high‑achieving, underrepresented high school students see themselves as scholars and problem solvers. He reframes mathematics as a tool for social and intellectual empowerment while introducing advanced ideas such as game theory.
His intentional approach to partnership is exemplified through the Data Analytics for Science Immersion Experience (DASIE), which connects underrepresented students with corporate leaders. The program provides early exposure to data science careers, equipping students with technical skills and the social capital needed to thrive in the modern workforce.
He leads the MCS Summer Scholars program, which brings together undergraduate students primarily from liberal arts colleges to conduct research in mathematical sciences, physics, chemistry, biology and computational projects.
Young also founded and led the ASCEND Mentor Network, a multi-institutional initiative initially funded by the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Mathematics and Physical Sciences. Designed to support postdoctoral fellows and early career scholars in chemistry, astronomy, mathematics, physics and materials science, the program offered structured mentorship, an engaged network and professional development.
He also supports teachers. Since 2024, Young has galvanized K-12 math teachers through professional development opportunities such as the Ignite Students’ Mathematical Identities workshop. Participants from 20 schools in the Pittsburgh region heard the stories of diverse voices of mathematicians and worked on the development of classroom lessons and activities to make advanced mathematics more approachable to the K-12 audience.
John Mackey, a teaching professor in mathematics and computer science, was one of Young’s advisers and is now a colleague.
“He is one of the more insightful and talented human beings I have worked with in the last 40 years,” Mackey said. “We are so very fortunate to have him here.”
For his ongoing efforts to empower students at every level, Young won this year’s Mark Gelfand Award for Educational Outreach, which is given to a member of the CMU community who has combined sustained, effective community service with academic coursework and a deliberate process of student reflection to enhance the learning experience, teach social responsibility and improve some life in the community.
