Sheldon H. Jacobson

Title

  • Founder Professor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Education

  • Ph.D., Operations Research, Cornell University
  • B.Sc., Mathematics, McGill University

Professional Experience

  • Professor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2002-Present (Associate Professor, 1999-2002)
  • Served on the faculties at Virginia Tech, 1993-1999, and Case Western Reserve, 1988-1993
  • Founding Director, Institute for Computational Redistricting, University of Illinois, 2019-present
  • Founding Director, Bedtime Research Institute, University of Illinois, 2016-present

Selected INFORMS and Related Activities – Member since 1985

  • INFORMS Representative, Computer Science Accreditation Board, Executive Committee (2025-Present)
  • INFORMS Board of Directors, Treasurer (2015-2016)
  • INFORMS Fellows Selection Committee (2024-2027)
  • INFORMS International Meeting, Plenary Speaker, Singapore (2025)
  • INFORMS Indianapolis National Meeting, General Chair (2022)
  • INFORMS Fall 2020 Annual Meeting, Omega Rho Plenary Speaker
  • INFORMS Doctoral Colloquium, Opening Speaker (2015, 2016)
  • Associate Editor, Operations Research (2004-2007)
  • INFORMS Speaker’s Program (1997-Present)

Selected Professional Honors and Awards

  • Fellow, INFORMS, 2013
  • Fellow, Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE), 2011
  • Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2020
  • INFORMS Presidents Award, 2023
  • INFORMS George E. Kimball Medal, 2020
  • INFORMS Saul Gass Expository Writing Award, 2020
  • INFORMS Impact Prize, 2018
  • J. Steinhardt Prize, INFORMS Military and Security Society, 2024
  • Clayton J. Thomas Award, Military Operations Research Society, 2023
  • Service Sciences Best Paper Award, INFORMS National Meeting, 2019
  • IISE David F. Baker Distinguished Research Award, 2017
  • Guggenheim Fellowship, Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, 2003

Selected National Service Activities

  • Organizer, NSF-Sponsored workshop, Setting a Broader Impacts Innovation Roadmap (2016)
  • Committee Member, National Academy of Medicine Standing Committee for the CDC Division of Strategic National Stockpile (2015-2017)
  • Program Officer, National Science Foundation (2012-2014)
  • Briefing, Office of Science and Technology Policy (in Executive Office of President G.W. Bush) (2002)

Selected Publications

  • Author/co-author of 210+ articles that have appeared in Operations Research, INFORMS Journal on Computing, Mathematical Programming, and other peer-reviewed journals; 12 book chapters; and 670+ professional publications in the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, The Hill (Washington) and other media outlets. See https://shj.cs.illinois.edu/jacobsoninfo.htm for a complete list of these publications.

Candidate Statement

It is a privilege to be on this ballot. This would not have been possible without the 500+ INFORMS members who signed the petition supporting my candidacy. I am both humbled and grateful.

I have been involved with INFORMS my entire career. My introduction came through the Simulation Society (I-SIM) when I was a PhD student at Cornell. I-SIM members demonstrated the benefits of being part of something bigger than themselves. I took their examples to heart. Many of my accomplishments can be attributed to working with collaborators I met at INFORMS meetings and society conferences. I call many of these people friends today and will always be grateful for the opportunities made possible by INFORMS.

One thing I learned early in my career when new to INFORMS was that there were always people who were even newer, including student members. I took the time to speak with them and encourage them. By doing this, the power of service as a vehicle for change became clear. Helping others unleashes this power. My interest in serving as your President-Elect is to share this experience across our entire community to facilitate opportunities for INFORMS members to engage.

“Operations research” is not a household name like “computer science” or “mathematics,” nor must it be. We do, however, offer models, methodologies, and approaches that have changed the world. Many of you have incredible stories to share, as evidenced by the impact of your work and the awards you have received.

To broaden our reach means that we must continue to showcase the excellent work that we do. We also know that change is inevitable. Who could have imagined five years ago the influence that generative AI and LLMs would have on our field? We do not know what the specific “topics du jour” will be in 2035 and beyond, yet whatever comes forth, we must remain intellectually nimble to welcome them with energy and creativity, much like how INFORMS has embraced the analytics revolution.

Indeed, as generative AI and LLMs continue to drive new opportunities, INFORMS is well positioned to lead on this rapidly moving frontier. Our subdivisions (sections, societies, chapters, forums) are poised to be at the fulcrum of such activities. Continuing to foster and grow these communities is critical, as they represent the grassroot interests of our members.

The world has never been smaller, with INFORMS members located around the globe. Our international activities are valuable assets for building collaborations and connections. Expanding our global footprint can only enhance what we do and create opportunities that can benefit members.

As one member of INFORMS, I do not have all the answers. Yet, like many of you, I have many questions. Listening to your questions and ideas will be an important activity during my presidency.

Enhancing the value proposition for INFORMS members must always be paramount. How are you benefiting from your membership? What can INFORMS do to help you feel more connected? When someone attends one of our meetings for the first time, what can we do to smooth their transition into our community? How can we foster better transparency around what we do and why we do it? How should INFORMS position itself in the global O.R. community? I look forward to exploring such questions with you, all with the aim of making INFORMS even stronger.

Indeed, my goal for INFORMS is for it to achieve its full potential, making it into the best version of itself that it can be. It would be a privilege to serve as your President-Elect. Thank you for your support.

For more information, please visit: https://shj.cs.illinois.edu/