The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's School of Architecture today announced Francisco Javier Rodríguez-Suárez, FAIA as its next Director. Said to be joining the university in January 2020, Rodríguez-Suárez currently serves as the ACSA Distinguished Professor of Architecture at the University of Puerto Rico. He also served as the Dean from 2007 to 2016. 

With his experience as a practicing architect, academic, writer, and leader in the architecture profession, he has played a pivotal role in leading the School of Architecture at the University of Puerto Rico and its prominence amongst the Caribbean and Ilbero-Americas. 

Rodríguez-Suárez studied at Georgia Tech, the Université de Paris, and Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. At the GSD is where he earned a Master of Architecture with Distinction and American Institute of Architects (AIA) School Medal. He was also recently awarded recognition as an AIA Fellow in 2019 as well as a Distinguished Professor of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) in 2016. 

"This new leader joins us from outside the university, bringing a wealth of new networks and knowledges to our efforts," said Kevin Hamilton, the University's Dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts, in a press statement. "In Francisco, we also have someone who brings deep knowledge and appreciation for our School of Architecture’s distinctive and historic record of accomplishment. Such a combination of global and local perspectives will serve us well not only in architecture but across the college, helping us to deeper service to the state, the region, and beyond."