Dr. Peter Jessel

Biography

Peter Jessel is an emeritus professor with primary interests in corporate information systems and technical management. He joined Cornell in 2002 and was appointed to the position of professor of practice in 2016. From 2014 to 2025, he served as the director of the Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) program. Before returning to academia, Jessel built an extensive career in senior technology leadership roles, including managing director and chief information officer at Towers Perrin from 1995 to 2002, where he was responsible for the development, implementation, and management of the firm's technology worldwide. He also served as senior vice president of information technology at EMI Music and was a leader in McKinsey & Company’s IT/S practice. Between 1977 and 1986, he held various executive positions at Data General and Digital Equipment Corp., focusing on planning, operations, and development. Jessel has also been a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT, an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and BEE and M.S. degrees from Cornell University.

Research Interests