Dean, Gerald D. Hines College Of Architecture And Design

University of Houston (UH) seeks nominations and applications for the Dean of the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design. This leadership role is based in Houston, TX, a global built-environment laboratory and emerging center of architectural and design culture.

About the role

The next Dean will be a forward-thinking leader who embraces transformation in architecture and design education, driven by advances in artificial intelligence, computational design, climate imperatives, and the blurring of disciplinary boundaries. The Dean will position the Hines College at the leading edge of design education, serving as an engaging, charismatic, and compassionate leader for faculty, a strong advocate for the College’s teaching, research, and practice mission, and a preeminent university citizen representing the College campus-wide.

Responsibilities

• Provide energetic, visionary, and effective academic leadership and strategic planning for the College, aligning with the University’s Strategic Plan.
• Direct and oversee all College programs, developing long-range vision, strategies, and administrative/fiscal provisions to ensure continued excellence.
• Work closely with University executive leadership and other Deans on multidisciplinary hiring, research, and teaching programs.
• Promote the University and Hines College through hands-on management and open decision-making in a culture of shared governance.
• Oversee faculty recruitment, appointment, reappointment, promotion, and tenure processes, maintaining integrity and meeting University recruiting objectives for quality and productivity.
• Manage the College’s budget, strategically allocating resources to support faculty research, extramurally funded projects, graduate programs, and facilities.
• Coordinate activities of program directors, faculty, associate/assistant Deans, and staff, and plan for future facilities’ needs.
• Develop collaborative teaching and research programs with other UH colleges and divisions.
• Represent the Hines College and UH to external constituents and donors at regional, national, and international levels, articulating philanthropic aspirations and fundraising priorities.
• Engage proactively with development staff, advisory boards, and academic leadership to execute fundraising plans and steward donations.

Qualifications

• Distinguished record of academic and professional achievement commensurate with appointment as a full professor in one of the College’s programs.
• Terminal degree in architecture, design, or a closely related field.
• Capacity to bridge theory and practice in architecture and design.
• Proven ability to serve as an engaging fundraiser and advocate for the College, developing external relationships to increase philanthropic donations and partnerships.
• Highly effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage both academic and non-academic audiences.
• Seasoned, decisive, and compassionate servant leader with strong organizational, consensus-building, and integrity.
• Commitment to providing students with a high-quality educational experience and addressing student success.
• Demonstrated ability to build multidisciplinary programs and create an internationally focused, professionally engaged, and outwardly-facing educational environment.
• Innovative and entrepreneurial approach to leadership, serving as a catalyst for new initiatives in the College.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, computational design, design automation) and their implications for practice and pedagogy.
• Adept at fiscal management, budgeting, and resource allocation.
• Shared commitment to UH’s values of innovation, collaboration, resilience, and the enrichment of faculty, staff, and students.

About the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design

Named in honor of Houston developer and real estate icon Gerald D. Hines, the College is one of the premier architecture and design schools in the South and Southwest. It is committed to excellence in teaching, research, and creative practice, leveraging its expertise to benefit the University, profession, and city of Houston.

The Hines College offers degrees in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Environmental Design, and Industrial Design, with a total enrollment of 677 students (609 undergraduates and 68 graduate students). The College is distinguished by its integration of conceptual rigor with real-world application, preparing graduates to professionally and conceptually engage the complexity of the built environment across disciplines and geographies.