Architecture and Planning school dean, Adèle Naudé Santos, to resign from position.
Adele Naude Santos, the second woman to hold the position of dean at MIT's School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P), has left an indelible mark on the institution during her tenure from 1996 to 2003. Her leadership saw the school undergo a period of progressive transformation, expanding its reach and deepening its commitment to inclusive, socially conscious architectural education.
Santos had three main goals for her deanship: consolidating the school's six locations, making crucial hires and promotions, and increasing the school's overall visibility. In pursuit of these objectives, she hired high-profile design faculty such as Yung Ho Chang and Nader Tehrani, and 40% of SA+P's current faculty were hired since she was appointed dean.
One of the key aspects of Santos' impact was her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion. She actively worked to recruit and support women and underrepresented minorities among both students and faculty. Integrating social and environmental concerns into the curriculum was another priority, fostering design approaches that address real-world challenges and community needs.
Santos also advocated for broadening the school’s interdisciplinary ties, encouraging connections between architecture, urban planning, environmental design, and technology, reflecting MIT’s overall culture of innovation. She pushed for a more global outlook in education and research, broadening the school’s engagement with international issues in architecture and planning.
Under her leadership, the school also grew its academic programs and refined its research focus to align with contemporary challenges in the built environment. Notable achievements include the completion of the Media Lab's new building under budget and ahead of schedule, and the renovation of Buildings 7 and 3 at MIT's Main Group, adding facilities like the Steam Cafe, the Long Lounge, and the Fab Lab.
In recognition of her achievements, Santos received the Topaz Award for excellence in architectural education. She also increased enrollment in the Master of Architecture program by 16 percent and made tenure appointments in DUSP.
As Santos steps down after 10 years, Acting Provost Martin Schmidt is responsible for identifying the best candidates for the Institute's next dean for SA+P. Schmidt is asking for insights and suggestions from the MIT community to help in this endeavour. Santos' legacy at SA+P will undoubtedly continue to inspire and guide the school as it moves forward.
- During her tenure as dean at MIT's School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P) from 1996 to 2003, Adele Naude Santos made significant strides in education and self-development, expanding the school's reach and commitment to inclusive, socially conscious architectural education.
- Santos' leadership saw the hiring of high-profile design faculty, such as Yung Ho Chang and Nader Tehrani, and the addition of 40% of SA+P's current faculty since her appointment as dean.
- Santos was committed to promoting diversity and inclusion, working to recruit and support underrepresented groups among both students and faculty, and fostering design approaches that address real-world challenges and community needs.
- She advocated for broadening the school’s interdisciplinary ties, encouraging connections between architecture, urban planning, environmental design, and technology, reflecting MIT’s overall culture of innovation.
- Notable achievements during her tenure include the completion of the Media Lab's new building under budget and ahead of schedule, and the renovation of Buildings 7 and 3 at MIT's Main Group, adding facilities like the Steam Cafe, the Long Lounge, and the Fab Lab.
- In recognition of her achievements, Santos received the Topaz Award for excellence in architectural education. As she steps down after 10 years, the alumni, public, and current faculty of SA+P look forward to the school's continued growth under new leadership, inspired by Santos' legacy in online education and learning.
