Search for the Dean

of the College of Architecture

Texas A&M University

College Station, Texas

THE SEARCH

Texas A&M University seeks a visionary and collaborative leader to serve as Dean of the College of Architecture. This is a compelling opportunity to join an ambitious and engaged community as it strives to improve human lives and the world through thoughtful design, planning, and construction. Reporting to the provost and vice president for academic affairs, the dean will set and implement an innovative strategy to grow the College of Architecture’s interdisciplinary collaborations, external partnerships, and multidisciplinary reputation. Alongside a cohort of new leaders at the university, the dean will work to gain recognition for Texas A&M as the preeminent institution for creative scholarship, transformational teaching and learning, and impactful service.

Texas A&M’s College of Architecture is one of the largest architecture schools in the nation. With a budget of approximately $25 million, the College enrolls over 2,600 students in 13 degree programs across its three departments: Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, and Construction Science. A skilled relationship builder and communicator, the dean will increase collaboration across these distinctive departments and amplify their profound interdisciplinary impact. In addition, the dean will support the College’s strong position in the professions, showcasing its robust applied scholarship, research centers, experiential learning programs, and graduate career placement rates. They will also strengthen external relationships and grow resources to elevate the national and international reputation of the College.

It is a pivotal moment in the architectural disciplines, as advanced technologies are poised to play a central role in the delivery of design and construction services. The dean will be creative and entrepreneurial, embracing cutting-edge technologies to support the College’s mission and prepare students for successful careers in rapidly evolving industries. A transparent and comprehensive leader, the dean will welcome engagement from the College’s dedicated faculty, staff, and students, while benefitting from alumni input, to collectively address contemporary challenges in higher education and the design, planning, and construction industries.

The College of Architecture is part of one of the largest and most productive public research universities in the world. The dean will aptly navigate the university’s large and complex structure to advocate for the critical importance of the College’s disciplines and units. They will be a steadfast spokesperson for the College, sharing broadly about its impact and scholarship. The dean will anticipate the needs of College stakeholders and will use sound judgment to respond to competing priorities including growing enrollments, teaching and research space availability, and faculty and staff recruitment and retention.

The successful candidate will have a distinguished record of academic and administrative leadership and will have demonstrated achievement in research and practice commensurate with an appointment as full professor. They will implement new technologies, support innovative teaching, and have a collaborative and energizing leadership style. They will have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and will prioritize shared decision-making and interdisciplinarity.

Texas A&M University has retained Parker Executive Search, a national executive search firm, to assist in this recruitment. All inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed to the search firm as indicated at the end of this document.

ABOUT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Texas A&M University is the flagship university of the Texas A&M University System. Its main campus in College Station is within a two-hour drive of multiple city centers, boasting 26 million of the state’s 28 million residents. Texas A&M is home to more than 77,000 students, making it the largest public university in the United States with over 135 undergraduate degree programs, over 175 master's degree programs, and over 90 doctoral degree programs. The university was recently designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education. As a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) and with a Carnegie classification of very high research activity, Texas A&M boasts over $1.1 billion in annual research expenditures, ranking 16th among public universities according to the National Science Foundation (NSF) Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey (FY2021).

Texas A&M seeks to provide the highest quality undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students for leadership, responsibility, and service to society while developing new understandings through research and creativity.

Aggie Core Values

Texas A&M students, faculty, staff, and alumni are united by the university’s core values of respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity, and selfless service. These values are rooted in Texas A&M’s founding as the state’s first institution of public higher education and its status as one of only six senior military colleges in the United States (the University’s Corps of Cadets is the largest uniformed body outside the national service academies). As Texas A&M continues to grow in preeminence and impact, its leaders strive to address the future challenges of higher education with initiatives that are rooted in a tradition of service.

Leadership

General (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh, III was named president of Texas A&M University on December 12, 2023, after serving in an interim capacity since July 30, 2023. He previously served as dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service after retiring from the U.S. Air Force. 

Dr. Alan Sams is provost, vice president for academic affairs and chief academic officer for Texas A&M University. He was appointed interim provost in August 2022 after returning to Texas A&M to serve as vice president of operational innovation. He assumed the permanent position of provost in June 2023.

THE COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

The Texas A&M University College of Architecture offers nine graduate degree programs and four  undergraduate degree programs across its three departments: Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, and Construction Science. More than 2,600 students from around the world are enrolled in the College’s nationally ranked and accredited programs, which prepare them to address critical and complex challenges in the natural and built environments. Following a rigorous course of study that offers opportunities to engage in research, experiential learning, and professional internships, College of Architecture graduates are known for their interdisciplinary skills and career readiness.

Departments

The Department of Architecture (ARCH) offers a contemporary education in the history, theory, and practice of architecture as an all-encompassing discipline. Its bachelor’s degree program (Bachelor of Science in Architecture) and three graduate degree programs respond to societal, environmental, and global issues that impact the built environment.

The Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning (LAUP) offers two undergraduate majors the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) and the B.S. in Urban and Regional Planning – and four graduate programs in distinct but related disciplines. LAUP programs prepare students to enhance and protect the natural and built environments, prioritizing the health, safety, and welfare of citizens through systematic decision-making that integrates science, art, and technology.

The largest department within the College, The Department of Construction Science (COSC), is also the largest construction education program in the nation with over 1,300 undergraduate and over 130 graduate students. COSC programs integrate principles of building, technology, engineering, business, and project management, preparing students to effectively manage the entire construction process. The department maintains strong connections with industry leaders and alumni and is proud of its mandatory internship program that connects students with real-world experiences and valuable professional relationships.

Facilities

The College of Architecture maintains physical and virtual laboratories, workshops, large classrooms, studio spaces, and exhibition halls to support faculty and student projects and facilitate high-impact teaching and learning. The College’s large-scale facilities are spread across multiple buildings and provide ample opportunities for hands-on exploration of the built and natural world.

Community Engagement

Since its founding, the College of Architecture has extended its reach beyond the classroom and will continue to impact the Texas A&M community, the state of Texas, and the world. Through programs like Texas Target Communities (TxTC), College of Architecture faculty and students work alongside local governments and community stakeholders to create sustainable, resilient, and fair communities across Texas. While TxTC is a university-wide initiative, it is supported through a collaborative partnership between the College of Architecture and the Office of the Provost. Similarly, the Institute for Sustainable Communities brings together faculty, staff, and students from across the university to address societal challenges through research and engagement with real communities.

Research

The College of Architecture serves as a critical hub of interdisciplinary research in fields that impact the built, natural, and virtual environments. Researchers engage in interdisciplinary projects with colleagues across the university and from institutions around the world. The College’s commitment to research is reflected in its five research centers, each of which has a multidisciplinary roster of research fellows:

Caudill Rowlett Scott (CRS) Center for Leadership and Management in the Design and Construction Industry (CRS Center) – Named for a premier architecture firm founded by Texas A&M College of Architecture alumni, the CRS Center conducts research and provides programs and resources to support the design and construction industry.

Center for Housing & Urban Development – The Center for Housing and Urban Development provides research, education, and outreach opportunities to create sustainable housing and communities. Since its founding, it has received over $45 million in funding from national and international sources.

Hazard Reduction & Recover Center (HRRC) – Founded in 1988, the HRRC was the first research center dedicated to vulnerability reduction and long-term recovery in the nation. Today it is one of two United Nations Collaborative Centers (UN-OCHA) in the world and serves as a consultatory expert at the intersection of hazard risk and resilience within the built and social environments.

Center for Health Systems & Design (CSHD) – The CHSD produces transformational, interdisciplinary research that impacts healthcare design and planning. It supports faculty fellows from nearly every college and school at Texas A&M, as well as the university libraries.

Center for Heritage Conservation (CHC) – Specializing in cultural heritage, heritage conservation, and historic preservation, the CHC supports innovative research on the continued use and care of planned and built environments.

THE DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

As the head administrator and academic officer of the College of Architecture, the dean leads the College in maintaining its commitment to innovative teaching; its dedication to professional education, service, and outreach; and a rich and varied research portfolio. The dean manages all strategic, programmatic, academic, financial, personnel, and management operations for the College. They oversee the College’s budget and ensure resources are allocated appropriately, while tirelessly advocating for internal and external funding to support the College’s mission and success.

The dean is supported by a leadership team that includes three department heads, the executive associate dean, the associate dean for international programs and facilities, and the associate dean for academic affairs. The dean’s office also includes the assistant dean of community wellness and engagement, the assistant dean for graduate studies, the assistant dean for finance and administration, the director of marketing and communications, an executive assistant, and events and administrative coordinators.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

The Dean of the College of Architecture will be prepared to address the following key opportunities and challenges.

Implement an innovative, ambitious, and strategic plan for the College’s next chapter

The College strives for national and international recognition and seeks a collectively ambitious leader with a compelling vision to guide its next steps. In concert with the university’s strategic priorities and goals and building from the College’s existing strategic plan, the dean will collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and alumni to implement a visionary plan for the College’s future. The dean will need to skillfully assess and capitalize on the many programs, perspectives, and talents within the College and empower faculty, staff, and students to explore new ways of thinking, designing, and doing. This leader will ensure that all newly defined goals have measurable milestones and that College stakeholders remain informed about the College’s progress toward its goals. The dean will value Texas A&M University’s history and traditions – specifically its land-grant mission – while ensuring that the College of Architecture provides transformational education, cutting-edge research, and impactful service.

Build community cohesion by prioritizing faculty, staff, and student professional success

The dean will model Aggie Core Values and respect shared governance, welcoming and engaging College constituents in the work of improving the College, the university, and the world through design. A visible and transparent leader, the dean will ensure that faculty, staff, and students can access educational and professional development opportunities and feel supported, engaged, and connected to their work at the College. From advancing technology to space availability, the dean will respond with care and creativity to community concerns to ensure that the College is a premier place to work and learn. The dean will support faculty development and retention, recognize and reward staff contributions, and attend to student needs. The dean will also grow the community by attracting and retaining talented faculty and staff to support the College’s mission.

Deepen interdisciplinary collaboration within the College and across campus

The dean will work to increase interdisciplinary collaboration in teaching, research, and practice across the College’s three departments while respecting and championing each department’s distinct needs and successes. There is a tremendous opportunity for the College to contribute to and benefit from collaborations with other Colleges, centers, and institutes at Texas A&M. The dean will work together with College faculty, staff, students, and administrators to identify and implement cross-disciplinary and inter- College partnerships, research, and initiatives. A skilled administrator, the dean will nimbly navigate a large and complex university structure and advocate for the critical importance of the College’s disciplines. They will match the ambitious energy of peer university leaders and will partner with the president, provost, and deans of related fields (e.g., health sciences, engineering) to expand teaching, research, and practice in creative and impactful ways.

Increase external partnerships to grow the College’s reputation, impact, and resources

Building on the College’s current strong position and recognition by the professions, the dean will Increase the College’s partnerships with varied external stakeholders. The College is primed to cultivate closer ties with industry leaders, professional organizations and membership groups, community members, and alumni. These relationships are foundational to the College’s ability to provide transformational education and practice opportunities to students and solve real, complex problems in the built and natural world. The dean will seek out mutually beneficial relationships with professionals who can sustainably support internships, College-industry partnerships, and high-impact service-learning programs. The dean will also work with development colleagues to seek out donors, build meaningful relationships with alumni, and increase alumni giving to ensure that the College maintains ample resources to support its future success.

Expand the College’s unique research enterprise

Situated in a Carnegie-classified R1 university, the College of Architecture performs meaningful research and obtains research funding from internal and external sources. The dean will recognize the various research interests at the school and work to grow the College’s research enterprise, providing necessary support to individual researchers and research centers. The dean will also prioritize the mentorship of junior faculty, encouraging strong training programs and providing administrative support as they build their research expertise. Eager to champion the College’s research strengths, the dean will also build relationships with funders, advocate for research space, and explore resources and tools that enable research growth.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The search committee recognizes that no single candidate will bear all the ideal qualifications, but it seeks candidates with many of the following qualities, skills, and characteristics:

•    A terminal degree in the field of architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, design, or construction sciences is required. An outstanding record of academic and professional achievement, and scholarly and creative impact commensurate with an appointment as a full professor with tenure.

•    Demonstrated effective record in a senior leadership-level role of an academic institution or an equally complex organization.

•    Evidence of dynamic leadership, outstanding communication, and administrative skills to articulate an inspiring vision for the College’s future.

•    Strong record of faculty and staff mentorship and development.

•    Demonstrated administrative capability, including the ability to delegate, prioritize, collaborate, and make transparent decisions.

•    Experience managing higher education operations, including enrollment growth, faculty recruitment and retention, budgetary matters, curricular reviews, space negotiations, and accreditation assessments.

•    A record of promoting a welcoming culture that respects all perspectives, talents, and identities.

•    A strong commitment to student academic and professional success.

•    Demonstrated fundraising experience and success.

•    Financial acumen and a demonstrated record of fiduciary transparency and accountability.

•    Strong record of interdisciplinary work, particularly with leaders in other schools/colleges.

•    An unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching, practice, and profession-driven applied research and public service.

•    Dedication to the mission of Texas A&M University and a commitment to Aggie Core Values.

TO APPLY

All inquiries, nominations/referrals, and applications (including resumes and letters of interest responding to the requirements outlined in the position profile) should be submitted by January 7, 2025 via the Parker Executive Search website: https://www.parkersearch.com/opportunities Porsha Williams, Vice President

Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal

Julia Butler-Mayes, Ph.D., Executive Recruiting Coordinator

Parker Executive Search

Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875 | Atlanta, GA 30328

(678) 775-4564

pwilliams@parkersearch.com || janderson@parkersearch.com || jbutler-mayes@parkersearch.com

Electronic submission of materials required.