Cal Poly Names Marc Swackhamer as Dean of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Contact: Matt Lazier
805-756-7109; mlazier@calpoly.edu
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Marc Swackhamer has been named dean of Cal Poly’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED), effective Aug. 18, 2025.
Swackhamer, who currently serves as chair of the Architecture Department at the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver), brings extensive experience in architectural education, digital fabrication and environmentally responsive design. Prior to CU Denver, he spent 15 years at the University of Minnesota, where he held multiple leadership roles, including head of the School of Architecture and director of the Master of Architecture program.
“Marc’s forward-thinking approach to design, technology and sustainability will amplify CAED’s continued excellence at Cal Poly,” said Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore, Cal Poly’s provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “His leadership and expertise will support faculty innovation, strengthen academic programs and prepare students to lead in a rapidly evolving industry — all while advancing Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy.”
At CU Denver, Swackhamer established the LoDo Lab, a design research initiative focused on addressing environmental challenges through advanced material exploration and fabrication techniques. His work has been recognized nationally, including projects such as the Biodegradable Landscape Infrastructure Pods (BLIP), funded by a Grand Challenge Grant. At the University of Minnesota, he secured major funding to support award-winning projects through his design collaboratives, HouMinn and Minn Lab.
He is also the co-author of “Hypernatural: Architecture’s New Relationship with Nature,” a book that explores how architecture can integrate with natural systems and processes to create more sustainable environments.
“I am honored to join Cal Poly and build on CAED’s outstanding reputation for hands-on learning, exceptional design and industry collaboration,” Swackhamer said. “I look forward to working with students, faculty and staff at Cal Poly to foster a culture of innovation, interdisciplinarity engagement and environmental responsibility in the built environment.”
Swackhamer will support CAED’s disciplines — including architectural engineering, architecture, city and regional planning, construction management and landscape architecture — ensuring students gain the skills and knowledge necessary for success across these fields.
Swackhamer holds a Master of Architecture degree from Rice University and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Cincinnati. He enjoys biking, running and hiking and is looking forward to exploring the Central Coast with his family and their dog. As their two daughters pursue their own paths, he and his wife are embracing this new chapter with enthusiasm.
Top photo: Students from Cal Poly’s College of Architecture & Environmental Design work on their structures for the Design Village competition. Design Village is a competition hosted by Cal Poly's Architecture program. True to the "learn-by-doing" experience, competitors design and build "shelters" in which the student competitors inhabit their respective structures throughout the entirety of the weekend.
Photo by Joe Johnston/University Photographer/Cal Poly
