Sharon Haar named next Chair of Architecture program

Sharon Haar, current professor of architecture and the Associate Dean for Research and Students at the College of Architecture and the Arts, University of Illinois Chicago, was named Chair of the Architecture program by Dean Monica Ponce de Leon.

Haar received her Bachelor of Art from Wesleyan University and her Master of Architecture from Princeton University. She currently teaches courses in urbanism, globalization, and housing.

Haar’s current research investigates the role of entrepreneurship, design innovation, and global networking in the transformation of architectural practices devoted to social activism and humanitarian relief. Her publications include: The City as Campus: Urbanism and Higher Education in Chicago and Schools for Cities: Urban Strategies. Haar’s articles and book reviews appear in journals including the Journal of Architectural Education, the Journal of Planning Education and Research, Architect’s Newspaper, and Architectural Design. Her recent book chapters appear in: Embodied Utopias, Shanghai Transforming and On Location: Heritage Cities and Sites. She has presented her research in conferences and lectures across the United States, Latin America, Asia, and Europe.

Haar is the recipient of numerous grants from various institutions including the Graham Foundation, Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Fannie Mae Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts and American Architecture Foundation. She is also the former Reviews Editor for the Journal of Architectural Education.

According to Dean Ponce de Leon, Haar is “a seasoned administrator with a strong grasp of the organization of academic programs, budgeting, and other administrative complexities and brings a solid background to the chair role. With broad experience in teaching and architectural education, she is committed to diversity, mentoring, and is attentive to students. A leader in the field of urban design, Haar will continue to facilitate the collegial relationships and bridges between the architecture and urban planning programs forged by her predecessors.”

Sharon Haar will join Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning on January 1, 2014.