Director, College of Architecture and Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Design

The Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts (the School) at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) invites nominations and applications for the position of director of the College of Architecture and Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design (the College). The Sam Fox School was founded in 2006 to bring together the Colleges of Architecture and Art and the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum as one school of Design and Visual Arts, a vibrant creative community of makers and scholars with a deep commitment to addressing social and environmental challenges. The School enrolls over 750 students, with approximately 70% undergraduate and 30% graduate students, of which approximately 370 are students in the College of Architecture. The College offers degrees in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Design, and is a key contributor to the School’s 10-year strategic plan, which focuses on digital transformation in art, architecture, and design; leadership in sustainable practices; and strengthening local, national, and global communities. As part of the School’s leadership team, the director of the College of Architecture will invest in people, programs, and relationships that will build academic and research excellence in alignment with WashU’s larger strategic plan.

Reporting to the dean of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, the director of the College of Architecture and Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design will collaborate with chairs, faculty, students, and staff to engage in key efforts that advance strategic initiatives and the College’s status as a leader in architectural education. The director will build upon the College’s longstanding reputation in design excellence, environmental sustainability, and community-engaged practice. Charged with continuing to shape and strengthen the College’s distinguished undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the director will sustain and reinforce the existing high-quality teaching and student experiences with a focus on student wellness and success. 

The director will provide leadership to elevate pedagogy and research within the College and across the university, as well as recruit and retain exceptional faculty in their fields. The director will bring an inclusive and collaborative leadership style that inspires faculty, students, and staff to build a shared vision for the future, working within the College and the Sam Fox School to educate students who graduate ready to deploy exceptional technical and creative skills to address pressing social and environmental needs. Candidates for this position will ideally hold a terminal degree in one of the disciplines taught within the School and demonstrate a track record of research, creative practice, or significant equivalent professional activity appropriate for appointment as a full professor with tenure. 

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be directed in confidence electronically below. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.

Ben Tobin is leading this search with Nella Young.

Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.