Department Head of Architecture

The Pennsylvania State University•University Park, FL

About The Position

The Stuckeman School in Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture seeks a responsive, visionary, and thoughtful leader to serve as Head of the Department of Architecture. The department has a longstanding culture of interdisciplinary collaboration and strong connections with units across the University. The Head will strengthen these relationships while advancing architecture’s distinctive disciplinary voice and ambitions, and will guide the department through changes in higher education, the architectural profession, and Penn State. Working with faculty and administrators across the School and College, the Head will identify strategic opportunities and respond to institutional, financial, academic, and societal challenges. The role calls for effective communication, sound judgment, fiscal responsibility, timely decision-making, and a commitment to academic excellence, integrity, and institutional values. The Head will implement the Department’s 2026–2030 strategic plans and support strategic goals across the School, College, and University. The Department of Architecture provides nationally and internationally recognized education responsive to social, environmental, technological, and cultural challenges. It has approximately 32 full- and part-time faculty members, 316 undergraduate students, and 62 graduate students, and offers professional B.Arch. and M.Arch. degrees as well as research-based M.S. and Ph.D. programs. The Head will support the department’s teaching, research, outreach, advising, and service mission, including architectural design, theory, critical analysis, graduate education, inclusive learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community engagement. This is a 42-week appointment reporting directly to the School Director. The successful candidate must meet employment background-check requirements and be able to work in the United States by the time of hire. The application deadline for full consideration is November 9, 2026; review will continue until the position is filled.

Requirements

Terminal degree in architecture, such as a professional Master of Architecture, Ph.D. in Architecture, or Doctor of Design in Architecture.
Distinguished scholarship, peer-reviewed publications, or creative design practice meeting Penn State criteria for a tenured appointment at Full Professor rank.
Departmental or college-level leadership experience, such as Program Director, Department Chair/Head, Associate Dean, or equivalent administrative experience.
Demonstrated oversight of strategic planning, budget planning and management, and personnel management.
Familiarity with promotion and tenure processes.
Proven record of architectural education at undergraduate and graduate levels.
Proven scholarly and/or creative achievement, and/or a record of pursuing and securing external support appropriate to the candidate’s field.
Capacity to manage professional NAAB accreditation processes and coordinate multi-tier degree paths.
Ability to lead collegially, inclusively, respectfully, responsibly, and responsively, with a record of mentoring and supporting a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff.
Demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging through leadership, teaching, research, and community engagement.
Ability to meet employment background-check requirements, including a credit history check, and to work in the United States by the time of hire.

Nice To Haves

Professional architecture licensure in the United States.
International recognition and leadership in interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary research, including significant external funding and research impact.
Experience with emerging technologies, AI literacy, experiential and proactive learning, and evolving modes of design and professional practice.
Strong engagement with the architectural profession, industry, professional organizations, community partners, and/or public agencies.
Experience cultivating relationships with alumni, donors, foundations, industry, and other external partners to advance academic, research, and departmental priorities.
Experience developing international academic, research, and professional partnerships that enhance the global visibility and impact of architectural education and scholarship.

Responsibilities

Lead the day-to-day administration of the department.
Recruit faculty for tenure-track and non-tenure-track roles aligned with departmental initiatives.
Manage promotion and tenure review processes.
Conduct annual faculty assessments and five-year post-tenure reviews.
Maintain program accreditation and support and develop curricular initiatives.
Support and develop graduate education.
Promote faculty development, research, creative work, and scholarship, including pursuit of external funding.
Manage the departmental budget responsibly and sustainably in collaboration with School and College financial staff and officers.
Serve on the School leadership team and the College academic leadership team.
Engage with the College’s Office of Advancement to develop alumni relationships and philanthropic support.
Maintain a research agenda or creative practice.
Uphold Penn State’s values and assure that department faculty uphold them.
Implement the Department’s 2026–2030 strategic plans and support strategic goals and initiatives across the School, College, and University.
Strengthen interdisciplinary relationships while advancing the department’s disciplinary voice and ambitions.