March 4, 2026

Dear Hines College Community,

I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design grow through many chapters, including natural disasters, a global pandemic, and periods of profound social change. Through these times, the resilience, creativity, and determination of our community have remained constant, reflecting a deep commitment to preparing future generations of architects and designers for jobs that may not yet exist. What we have accomplished together is extraordinary.

After 16 years as dean of the Hines College, I am writing to share that I will retire in 2027. It is difficult to fully capture the accomplishments of such a long tenure; however, I am proud of many milestones we have achieved together, including:

• When I arrived, the College’s primary focus was architecture and a newly formed  industrial design program. Today, we offer undergraduate degrees in architecture, industrial design, interior architecture, and environmental design (newly revamped and growing), a dual graduate degree in architecture and construction management, along with graduate concentrations in design media and fabrication, historic preservation, and urban design, among others.
   
• Our international presence has grown significantly, creating meaningful opportunities for students to collaborate with world-renowned architects and share their work globally. In 2014, the College exhibited in three international biennales (Venice, Rotterdam, and Buenos Aires), followed by successful exhibitions in Berlin in 2017 and 2020, and most recently, studios focused on work in Querétaro. Our annual Stern Visiting Professorship has also brought a global perspective to our students.
   
• Our faculty has expanded in both number and expertise. In recent years, the College secured four Presidential Frontier Faculty positions, established an endowed professorship in design technologies, and received a commitment for a planned gift supporting an endowed professorship in urban design. These advancements have strengthened our research capacity and increased funding and expenditures.
   
• Early on in my deanship, I initiated designLAB, which has brought design expertise, signage standards, and conceptual studies to UH’s system campuses, including work supporting our current Centennial construction on campus. Last year, I established BUILD+, a non-profit extending the College’s design-build mission. From its inception, BUILD+ received a $1.5 million NSF grant in partnership with the Houston Zoo and Harris County.

This spring, Provost Chase will announce a national search for the next dean of the Hines College. I will continue to serve as dean until my successor begins. When the new dean arrives, I will remain to lead BUILD+ and designLAB through December 2027, ensuring continuity and a smooth transition.

I am deeply grateful to have served our students, faculty, staff, and alumni as one of the College’s longest-serving deans and to help guide the College through this next chapter. Thank you for your trust, support, and dedication. I am confident the Hines College will continue to thrive well into the future.

Warm regards,

Patricia Belton Oliver, FAIA, Dean
ACSA Distinguished Professor
Director, designLAB