Victor Thompson appointed professor of the practice

Carnegie Mellon University Africa is pleased to announce the appointment of Victor Thompson as special faculty, professor of the practice of information technology and graduate pathways, effective July 1, 2025.

Thompson brings more than 40 years of experience in computer technology and software application engineering to CMU-Africa. His career spans enterprise systems, distributed object systems, Radio Frequency engineering design, business intelligence architecture, data mining platforms, and web services.

He has led the development of systems in diverse application areas including cloud content distribution, e-commerce, mobile wireless applications, supply chain management, semiconductor software testbeds, web-based security, telematics, and biometrics.

A recognized technology leader, Thompson is renowned for crafting strategic and innovative visions that align IT solutions with business goals and operational resilience. His leadership is marked by a deep understanding of complex systems and a consistent drive for innovation.

As the primary visionary behind the NASA Innovation Ecosystem, Thompson spent two decades fostering collaboration across business stakeholders, strategic vendors, external technology teams, and academia. In his role as former chief information officer at NASA headquarters, he oversaw the agency's IT strategy, managed budgets exceeding $100 million, and led a team responsible for infrastructure, operations, and cybersecurity.

Thompson's career also includes leadership roles at Digital Equipment Corporation, Eon, ComSearch, Manugistics, Raytheon, Real Networks, and Sprint, where he implemented innovative technology solutions across a wide range of industries.

"Victor Thompson's leadership in both public and private sectors, particularly in mission-critical environments like NASA, will be invaluable to our mission of education and empowering the next generation of global technology leaders," said Conrad Tucker, director of CMU-Africa.