Ralph J. Nagel Dean of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at InsideHigherEd

Ralph J. Nagel Dean
Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts
Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) invites applications and nominations for the next Ralph J. Nagel Dean of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts.

The Opportunity
The Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis is a leader in architecture, art, and design education. The School was founded in 2006, uniting the longstanding academic units of architecture, design, and art with the University’s museum to create a unique new paradigm for education. The School advances its disciplines through innovative research and creative practice, excellence in teaching, a world-class university art museum, and a deep commitment to addressing cultural, social, and environmental challenges. Through the work of its students, faculty, and alumni, the School strives to create a more just, sustainable, humane, and beautiful world.

WashU seeks an outstanding leader to serve as its next Dean of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. Reporting to the Provost and serving as the chief administrative and academic officer of the School, the Dean will build upon established and successful programs in the College of Architecture, the College of Art, and the Kemper Art Museum. The Dean will bring an inclusive and collaborative leadership style that inspires faculty, students, and staff to build a shared vision for the future, working within the School to educate students who graduate ready to deploy exceptional technical and creative skills. WashU seeks a Dean who will work to invest in its people, and promote an ethos of professionalism, service, and care. The Dean will navigate the rapidly changing landscape of higher education broadly, and help foster a strong foundation and process for innovatively conducting research and creative practice.

The Dean will provide strategic vision and operational leadership, setting priorities for the School and guiding it toward its goals of enhancing and promoting professional practice, research, community-engaged scholarship, art history, theory, and criticism, and excellence in undergraduate, graduate, and professional education with a diverse population of students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders. Supporting WashU’s research mission, the Dean will work closely with directors and chairs to advance the creative and scholarly activities of the faculty, including interdisciplinary opportunities and external collaborations. The Dean is the School’s chief advocate and steward, promoting its achievement and spearheading its fiscal development and fundraising activities. The Dean will also be the School’s public voice, promoting innovative ideas and solidifying partnerships within WashU, locally, nationally, and internationally as a recognized leader.

Under the leadership of Chancellor Andrew Martin and Provost Mark West, the Dean will have the opportunity to capitalize on the institution’s forward momentum, as well as collaborate with other WashU leaders to further develop and enhance interdisciplinary education and the creation of new partnerships. The successful candidate will be a collegial, nationally recognized, and entrepreneurial leader prepared to advance the mission of the School and to support and sustain several existing areas of innovation, including new programs currently in development and ideation. More information about the Sam Fox School can be found online here: https://samfoxschool.washu.edu

How to Inquire, Nominate, or Apply
Washington University in St. Louis has retained the services of Dr. Josh Ward at the executive search firm Korn Ferry.

Applicants should submit, in two separate PDFs, an up-to-date and detailed curriculum vitae, as well as a letter of interest (2-4 pages) describing why you are interested in the role of the Ralph J. Nagel Dean of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis, why you would be successful based on your professional experience, and why now is a good time for you to consider this opportunity. For priority consideration, please submit all inquiries, nominations, and application materials by January 15, 2026 via e-mail to:

Josh Ward, PhD
Senior Client Partner
Higher Education | Academic Medicine | Law
Korn Ferry
(405) 640-3994
[email protected]

EEO Statement: Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.