William Dean
Education
- State University of New York at Buffalo; Master of Architecture, 1994
- State University of New York at Buffalo; BPS, Architecture, 1991
- SUNY College of Technology at Alfred; AAS, Architectural Technology, 1985
Teaching Overview
William Dean joined the faculty at SUNY Alfred State in 2000, and has served as Program Coordinator, NCARB Architect Licensing Advisor, and Chair of the Department of Architecture + Design. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in architecture from Alfred State and the University at Buffalo and has over 38 years of professional experience in practice and academia.
In addition to design studios, Dean teaches courses in professional practice and construction technology. He founded the fourth-year Urban Design Studio, which promotes civic engagement as a means of helping communities in the Rochester area and New York's Southern Tier visualize solutions for revitalizing their neighborhoods and business districts. As an extension of this work in the classroom, he also advises the Southern Tier Architectural Resource Center and the ASC Design-Build Team and has coordinated the department’s study abroad program in Sorrento, Italy.
Prior to beginning his academic career, Dean practiced with several firms in the Rochester, NY area that specialized in residential, commercial, and health care design. He maintains a small consulting practice focused on assisting clients plan for creative and sustainable improvements to their existing living and working environments.
Dean's applied research interests include issues related to new paradigms of professional practice, and community design and development through the work of the Southern Tier Architectural Resource (STAR) Center. He has been designated as an Appalachian Teaching Fellow by the Appalachian Regional Commission for his work in Alfred State’s Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative, and was presented with the Alfred State College Council's Award for Leadership Through Civic Engagement in 2013. He was honored with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2019, named an NCARB Scholar in Professional Practice in 2022, and in 2024 gratefully received the Medal of Distinction from the Rochester chapter of the American Institute of Architects.