Adèle Naudé Santos, the dean of the Architecture and Planning School, is set to resign.
After a successful tenure of ten years, Adele Naude Santos, the ninth dean and the second woman to hold the position of school dean at MIT's School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P), is stepping down. The search for her successor has begun.
During Santos' leadership, the School has seen a significant rise in applications. Applications for the Master of Architecture program have more than doubled since 2004, while applications for the Master of Science in Architecture Studies have risen by 85 percent. The Master's Program in the Media Lab's Media Arts and Sciences program and the Master in City planning have also experienced a 70 percent and 60 percent increase in applications, respectively.
Santos' tenure has been marked by numerous achievements. She helped restart the design process for a long-awaited signature additional building at the Media Lab. Under her leadership, the School undertook renovation projects in Buildings 7 and 3, adding the Steam Cafe, the Long Lounge, and the Fab Lab.
Santos made key faculty hires and promotions, including the addition of high-profile design faculty such as Yung Ho Chang and Nader Tehrani. The new dean of SA+P will be expected to continue making such strategic appointments.
The search committee for the new dean of SA+P is chaired by MIT Provost Martin Schmidt. The committee includes faculty, students, and alumni representatives. The search is expected to take several months, and the new dean will be tasked with building upon the successes of Santos, including increasing the School's visibility and attracting more students.
The new dean will be the tenth dean and the third woman to hold the position. They will also be expected to continue the School's renovation projects, such as those in Buildings 7 and 3, and to restart the design process for a long-awaited signature additional building at the Media Lab.
As of now, no publicly known candidates for the next SA+P dean after Adele Naude Santos are identified. The school currently operates under Dean Hashim Sarkis, who took over in mid-2025. No information is available about potential candidates to replace him in the near future.
In conclusion, the search for the next dean of MIT's School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P) has begun. The new dean will have big shoes to fill, as Santos has left a lasting impact on the School. However, with the right vision, leadership, and strategic decisions, they can continue to build upon the School's success and take it to new heights.
- The faculty of MIT's School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P) has seen significant growth under the leadership of Adele Naude Santos, with key hires and promotions including Yung Ho Chang and Nader Tehrani.
- The new dean of SA+P will be tasked with continuing the School's focus on education and self-development, attracting more students as applications have risen, and furthering research in science, technology, and general news.
- The School has undertaken various renovation projects under Santos' leadership, including Buildings 7 and 3, which now hold the Steam Cafe, the Long Lounge, and the Fab Lab.
- Adele Naude Santos made a noticeable influence on the School, increasing its visibility and overall success, making it a desirable institution for students and alumni alike.
- The search for the new dean of SA+P involves faculty, students, and alumni representatives, with the expectation that the new dean will continue the School's efforts in education, research, and public outreach.
- With various accomplishments, including being the second woman to hold the position of dean, Adele Naude Santos has set a high standard for the next dean, who will be expected to uphold her legacy of innovation and progress.
