Director of School of Architecture Chris Jarrett Stepping Down

Chris Jarrett, who has served as the director of the School of Architecture (SoA) for 10 years, will step down from that position on June 30 and join the architecture faculty full-time.

Jarrett came to UNC Charlotte from the Georgia Institute of Technology. During his decade of leadership he has had a profound impact on the SoA, hiring more than half of the current faculty, initiating a nationally peer-reviewed grant program that has supported faculty research, and overseeing the development of new graduate degrees, a semester-long study-abroad program in Rome, and the Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure, among other important initiatives. He also led the SoA through two strategic planning processes and two successful national accreditations.

“It’s been a true honor to serve as director of the SoA for 10 years – one of the highlights of my professional career,” said Jarrett. “Perhaps more than anything, it’s been most rewarding on a day-to-day basis to be in a position to work with our faculty and staff to help our students succeed and do things they never imagined they would or could.”

While serving as director, Jarrett has taught more than 2,000 students in liberal studies courses and continued his research, successfully collaborating with architecture faculty and students in creating the designLAB research initiative, which has completed nearly 20 projects and won several awards in national competitions. After a reassignment of duties in the Fall 2019 semester, he will join the School of Architecture faculty.

“Chris has been an outstanding leader of the SoA,” said Dr. Lee Gray, interim dean of the College of Arts + Architecture and professor of architectural history. “He profoundly enhanced the School’s reputation and engagement with local, regional, and national professional communities as well as with the broader Charlotte community.”

Dr. Jose Gamez, associate director of the SoA, will become the interim director for the 2019-20 academic year, and Dr. Emily Makas, associate professor of architecture, will serve as interim associate director. During that time the SoA will conduct a national search for a new director.