Gabrielle Esperdy Appointed Dean of NJIT’s Hillier College of Architecture and Design

 

After a national search, the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) appointed Gabrielle Esperdy, a noted architectural historian, as dean of Hillier College of Architecture and Design (HCAD), effective July 1.

The college, which offers 11 degree programs across two schools and is named after architects J. Robert and Barbara A. Hillier, is known for tackling challenges in the real world, particularly in NJIT’s home city of Newark. Under Esperdy’s leadership, HCAD is expected to play a very significant role in the strategic priorities of the institution to enhance student success through experiential learning, community engagement and incorporating resources from industry into the curricula.

In her prior role as interim dean, the college added new faculty, established a visiting fellows program, renovated studios, refreshed computer labs, improved the workflow for research proposals and celebrated the 50th and 15th anniversaries of its New Jersey School of Architecture and School of Art + Design, respectively.

Speaking with Andrew McMains of NJIT on questions of technology and the place of art and design within a polytechnic, Esperdy noted, “Most people don’t realize that polytechnics have always included design and architecture. Some think polytechnic is an old-fashioned, 19th-century word, but I like it. Poly implies many techniques. I think it’s cool. So is STEM-plus, which allows for infinite expansion. STEM is ubiquitous. Technology is the foundation of the world that we live in right now. That’s no longer enough. So, the project of the polytechnic in the 21st century must be STEM-plus. That’s going to include the critical thinking skills that come out of the design disciplines and the humanities. The beauty of architecture and design is that we combine it all. Our disciplines are part humanities, part technology, part art. In this sense, we are already situated at the very nexus of innovation that NJIT is advancing.”

“Thirty years ago, what was then the New Jersey School of Architecture was at the forefront of what became a complete transformation of architecture and design education. I would like us to be in that place again. It’s about fundamentally rethinking the nature of architecture and design education and rethinking — not displacing — how we go about studio, which is the heart of architecture and design education,” said Esperdy.

“Sometimes a search affirms what you already have, in this case, a thoughtful and passionate leader who connects well with students, faculty, administrators and staff members alike,” NJIT President Teik C. Lim said. “Also, we gain continuity and someone who already understands Hillier and its long-term priorities. This is a win-win.”