Taubman College Taubman College welcomes new architecture chair
The first day of class marks new beginnings and that is the case for Taubman College as Sharon Haar, former professor of architecture and Associate Dean for Research and Students at the College of Architecture and the Arts at the University of Illinois Chicago, takes over as chair of the architecture program.
Haar brings a distinguished record of writing, research, and publications investigating the role of entrepreneurship, design innovation, and global networking in the transformation of architectural practices devoted to social activism and humanitarian relief.
“The architecture program has an outstanding reputation and an important leadership position in architectural education,” says Haar. “I look forward to working with the students, faculty, and staff and to build upon the program’s legacy and the new traditions that Dean Ponce de Leon has initiated.”
According to Dean Ponce de Leon, Haar is “a seasoned administrator with a strong grasp of the organization of academic programs, budgeting, and other administrative complexities and brings a solid background to the chair role. With broad experience in teaching and architectural education, she is committed to diversity, mentoring, and is attentive to students. A leader in the field of urban design, Haar will continue to facilitate the collegial relationships and bridges between the architecture and urban planning programs forged by her predecessors.”
Haar received her Bachelor of Art from Wesleyan University and her Master of Architecture from Princeton University. She taught courses in urbanism, globalization, and housing while at the University of Illinois Chicago. Haar’s publications include: The City as Campus: Urbanism and Higher Education in Chicago and Schools for Cities: Urban Strategies. Her articles and book reviews appear in journals including the Journal of Architectural Education, the Journal of Planning Education and Research, Architect’s Newspaper, and Architectural Design. Her recent book chapters appear in: Embodied Utopias, Shanghai Transforming and On Location: Heritage Cities and Sites.
She has presented her research in conferences and lectures across the United States, Latin America, Asia, and Europe and is a recipient of numerous grants from institutions such as the Graham Foundation, Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Fannie Mae Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts and American Architecture Foundation. Haar is also the former Reviews Editor for the Journal of Architectural Education.
Several events will take place over the following days which will provide an opportunity for faculty, students, and staff to welcome Haar to Taubman College.
