MIT Provost Shows Students How to Thrive Under Pressure

When a first-year PhD student at MIT felt crushed by an approaching conference deadline last January, Professor Anantha Chandrakasan didn't push harder. He did something better.

The student had poured everything into their first major project, racing to submit by the deadline. As January approached, panic set in when it became clear they wouldn't finish in time. That's when Chandrakasan, now MIT's provost, offered perspective that changed how the student saw their entire PhD journey.

"There will always be another opportunity," he told them. One missed deadline wouldn't determine their career.

Chandrakasan didn't just offer reassurance. He paired the struggling student with a senior lab member who could provide daily guidance and technical support. This simple connection created a safety net that helped the student finish the submission while building lasting relationships with other researchers.

The approach reflects how Chandrakasan runs his entire lab. Within MIT's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, where he pioneered research in low-power electronics and energy-efficient computing, he's known for building support structures that prevent isolation. Newer students regularly work alongside experienced researchers, creating natural mentorship chains.

His 18 graduate students recently nominated him for MIT's "Committed to Caring" recognition, an honor given to faculty who redefine what mentorship looks like. Students describe an advisor who gives direct technical feedback but wraps it in genuine care. He adapts his teaching style to each person rather than imposing a single template for success.

"My technical advising is direct, because I believe clarity is a form of care," Chandrakasan explains. He sees precise feedback as one of the most meaningful gifts a mentor can offer.

Why This Inspires

In academic spaces where papers and conferences often become the only measure of progress, Chandrakasan offers something radical: permission to be human. He encourages students to develop their own perspectives and think deeply rather than chasing short-term fixes. His goal isn't removing challenges but ensuring students can endure through them.

The calibration matters because graduate school pressure is real. When everything feels urgent and timelines feel crushing, having someone remind you of the bigger picture can mean the difference between thriving and burning out.

Students say his calm presence and thoughtful words help them regain balance, both emotionally and academically. The independence he cultivates never comes at the expense of connection. In his lab, rigor and precision coexist with steadiness and perspective.

As one student put it, Chandrakasan's support created an environment where they could engage in discussions, build relationships, and overcome research challenges without losing themselves in the process.