Architecture and Design Dean Scott Poole at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville has announced plans to step down from his position in order to return to teaching. 

A statement published by the school announcing Poole's decision to step down reads: "Poole’s 35-year career of teaching, professional practice, service, and leadership includes many accomplishments and accolades. As an academic leader, Poole developed innovative strategies to advance meaningful collaborations between design education and practice, set the context for multiple nationally and internationally recognized experiential learning projects, hired and mentored award-winning educators, and engaged the collective capabilities of faculty to create inspiring environments for design education." 

The school recently announced a new scholarship initiative aimed at bolstering the pipeline of students from diverse backgrounds entering architectural education. 

The announcement explains that the school will soon form a search committee that will embark on a national search for a new dean for the school. Poole's transition will take place over the next year and he is expected to return to teaching June 2021.