CCNY's Spitzer School of Architecture has appointed Dr. Marta Gutman as its new permanent dean. The search for a new school leader came after the former architecture dean, Lesley Lokko, announced her resignation in October 2020. 

Dr. Gutman, who was appointed interim dean in August 2021, has taught architectural and urban history at CCNY since 2004. The school's provost, Tony Liss, shared in an announcement: "It has been my great pleasure to work closely with Dean Gutman this past year. She has shown extraordinary leadership in the School of Architecture, and it is gratifying to see the enthusiastic support of Architecture colleagues for her permanent deanship."

The licensed architect and historian is also an award-winning author. She received the Catherine W. Bishir Prize in 2021 for her scholarly work and contributions to the study of vernacular architecture and cultural landscapes. She has held several leadership positions within committees at the school, including the Committee on Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the Society for American City, and Regional Planning History. She is also the founding editor of the online forum PLATFORM. 

In addition to Gutman's appointment, the school announced on June 28 that Dr. Michael Miller will be its new interim associate dean. Dean Gutman shared: "I've worked with Michael since he started at the Spitzer School in 2012; I was a professor then, and it felt as if a breath of fresh air had come into the building. As the school's first director of operations, Michael invented this job on his feet — there were so many aspects of school administration that needed attention [...] The position of associate dean is a first at the Spitzer School, and I am grateful that President Boudreau and Provost Liss agreed to this new position, with Michael in the seat [...] Together, we will continue to chart a new course for our school as we work together to define the responsibilities of the new position."

Since last year, school leadership changes and turnover have been recurring news. In January, Nader Tehrani announced his resignation as Cooper Union's dean, Ingalill Wahlroos-Ritter confirmed her leave as Woodbury's dean in October 2021, Vishaan Chakrabarti stepped down as dean of Berkely CED in September 2021, and Amale Andros gave up her position as dean of Columbia GSAPP in May 2021. While there have been new and exciting architectural appointments within the past two years, it's clear academic leadership is something to watch amid the growing educational expectations and pedagogy changes.