Vini Nathan is climbing the ladder toward being the new dean of the College of Architecture, Design and Construction.
Nathan will take over June 1.
Nathan is the current dean for Philadelphia University's School of Architecture.
She has taught architecture and interior design programs for Philadelphia University, New York Institute of Technology, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan.
"I am not arriving with a boilerplate list of goals that I wish to impose," Nathan said. "Instead, I look forward to working with the CADC faculty, staff, students, alumni, our friends from all over the world and our University administration in continuing and extending our impressive legacy."
Nathan's design experience stretches across the globe.
She has worked on design projects in India, New York and Virginia.
While in India she worked for design projects for corporate buildings and public areas of tourist hotels.
"I was chosen as the dean of College of Architecture, Design and Construction through a highly competitive national search," Nathan said. "This multistep process included four stages of well choreographed, comprehensive, intense and focused interviews."
The search committee interviewed many applicants and narrowed down the group to eight people.
The eight applicants were taken to an off-site interview conducted by the search committee, and this group was narrowed down to four.
They were brought in for interviews conducted by students, faculty, staff, alumni, advisory board members and college and university administrators.
"All of the CADC programs are highly ranked nationally and reflective of the string leadership and direction that Dean Dan Bennett had for the college over the 10 years that he served as Dean of the CADC," said Richard Brinker, dean emeritus for the school of forestry and wildlife sciences and chair of the dean search committee. "The Committee feels very strongly that Dr. Vini Nathan will continue the upward trajectory of the CADC."
Nathan's work does not stop with architecture.
Currently, she participates as a board member for Families for Children in Montreal.
She has also worked as a board member for Charter High School of Architecture and Design in Philadelphia.
"We were looking for the best candidate who could bring the skills and experiences needed to continue the upward trajectory of the College of Architecture, Design and Construction," Brinker said. "Leading the faculty and connecting with the students and alumni are essential requirements of the dean."
Nathan will work with graduate programs to combine architecture, landscape architecture, interior architecture, building science, industrial design and graphic design.
"She will have the same duties as dean as any other college," said Kerry Ransel, provost and vice president of academic affairs. "She will run the departments within the college."
As the dean of CADC, she will work within the college to create a relationships with other programs.
"The College of Architecture, Design and Construction at Auburn University has a formidable reputation as an intellectual, entrepreneurial, and innovative powerhouse," Nathan said. "I am thrilled and honored to join the CADC and the Auburn community."
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