Careers

Department Head of Architecture at Penn State University

Position Title

Department Head of Architecture

Institution

The Stuckeman School in the College of Arts and Architecture at Penn State

Location

University Park, PA

Key Dates

Full consideration: Apply by November 9, 2026

Position Description

The Stuckeman School in the College of Arts and Architecture at Penn State seeks a responsive, visionary, and thoughtful leader to serve as Head of the Department of Architecture.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the day-to-day administration of the department;
  • Recruit faculty to contribute to the department’s initiatives through tenure and non-tenure track roles;
  • Manage the promotion and tenure review processes;
  • Conduct annual assessments of all faculty and 5-year post-tenure reviews;
  • Maintain program accreditation and support and develop curricular initiatives;
  • Support and develop graduate education;
  • Support and promote faculty development, research, creative work and scholarship within an R-1 university setting, including the pursuit of external funding to sustain and strengthen these activities;
  • Demonstrate responsible and sustainable fiscal management of the departmental budget; work collaboratively with the financial staff and officers in the School and College;
  • Serve as a member of the School leadership team;
  • Serve as a member of the College academic leadership team;
  • Engage with the College’s Office of Advancement to develop opportunities for alumni relationships and philanthropic support;
  • Maintain a research agenda or creative practice;
  • Uphold and lead by example the Penn State values of Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. Assure faculty within the Department of Architecture are upholding the Penn State values.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • Terminal Degree: A terminal degree in architecture, such as a professional Master of Architecture (M. Arch), a Ph.D. in Architecture, or Doctoral of Design (D. Des) in Architecture;
  • Rank Eligibility: A distinguished record of scholarship, peer-reviewed publications, or creative design practice that meets the criteria for a tenured appointment at the rank of Full Professor at Penn State;
  • Administrative Experience: Experience in departmental or college-level leadership, such as serving as a Program Director, Department Chair/Head, or Associate Dean, or having equivalent administrative experiences; demonstrated oversight of strategic planning, budget planning and management, and personnel management; demonstrated familiarity with the promotion and tenure process;
  • Teaching Excellence: A proven track record of architectural education at the undergraduate and graduate levels;
  • Research Excellence: A proven track record of scholarly and/or creative achievement, and/or a record of pursuing and securing external support appropriate to the candidate’s field of expertise;
  • Accreditation Oversight: Proven capacity to manage professional NAAB accreditation processes and coordinate multi-tier degree paths;
  • Leadership and Mentorship: Demonstrated ability to lead collegially, inclusively, respectfully, responsibly, and responsively, with a record of mentoring and supporting the success of a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff;
  • Inclusive Excellence: Demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging for all through leadership, teaching, research, and community engagement.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Professional Licensure: Professional architecture licensure in the United States;
  • Research Leadership: Demonstrated international recognition and leadership in interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary research, including but not limited to a record of securing significant external funding and advancing research impact;
  • Curricular Innovation: Experience with emerging technologies, AI literacy, experiential and proactive learning, and evolving modes of design and professional practice;
  • Professional Engagement: A strong record of engagement with the architectural profession, industry, professional organizations, community partners, and/or public agencies;
  • Fundraising and External Relations: Demonstrated experience cultivating relationships with alumni, donors, foundations, industry, and other external partners to advance academic, research, and departmental priorities;
  • Global Engagement: Experience developing international academic, research, and professional partnerships that enhance the global visibility and impact of architectural education and scholarship.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit their complete application materials through the website at https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PSU_Academic/job/Penn-State-University-Park/Department-Head-of-Architecture_REQ_0000083106-1.

Application Materials: Applicants are invited to provide any or all of the following:

  • Cover Letter
  • Full Curriculum Vitae
  • Selected Samples of Scholarly and/or Creative Work
  • References: Contact information for three professional references.

Contact Information

Search Committee Chair: Dr. Robin Thomas
Email: rlt18@psu.edu