Seasoned administrator and teacher Michelle Rinehart has been named assistant dean for academic affairs and outreach in the College of Architecture at Georgia Tech. She comes to Georgia Tech after nine years at the Catholic University of America, where she served as assistant dean in the School of Architecture and Planning. While there she was involved in a wide variety of areas, from strategic planning to external affairs to academic and student services. In addition, she was a design critic and lecturer in the School, teaching courses in the history of architecture and foundation design studios at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Prior to her time at Catholic, she served as the director of public programs for the National Building Museum and as a senior project manager for the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

“We are excited that Michelle will be joining our team at the College of Architecture,” said Steve French, who will take over as dean effective July 1. “Having been in a similar role at Catholic, she brings a wealth of knowledge and unique perspective to the position and we look forward to hearing her ideas.”

In her new position, Rinehart will be responsible for research and analysis on the state of the College and will work to develop initiatives in diversity, particularly in the recruitment of women and underrepresented minorities. She will also work with the faculty in the area of academic affairs at the College.

Over the course of her career, Rinehart has been actively involved in academic and professional organizations. She has served on numerous campus-wide committees at Catholic, on topics ranging from learning outcomes to graduate marketing, and has been active in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA). In addition, she currently servs as vice president of the Architectural Centers Consortium (ARCC) and secretary of the Grand Chapter of Tau Sigma Delta.

She received a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Tulane University and a master’s from the University of Michigan, specializing in the history and theory of architecture, and holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Pennsylvania.