Faculty Leaders

At the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, faculty participation in shared governance is exercised through the Faculty Business Senate, an elected body, and by elected faculty representatives.

Faculty Business Senate

The Faculty Senate represents the entire faculty in all matters of appropriate faculty concern for the purpose of continuing contact and communication with the administration. It assumes broad responsibilities for fostering high academic standards and for participating in decisions and concerns involving the quality of education at the School and the morale and well-being of its staff, students, and faculty. The Faculty Senate also elicits active student and faculty participation in most aspects of policy determination and fosters an atmosphere in the School which encourages maximum involvement of students and faculty. 

Chair, Faculty Business Senate

Jennifer Lee
Associate Professor, Art History, Theory, and Criticism

Image



The committees convened and overseen by the Faculty Senate are the key consultative bodies within the School’s system of shared governance. 

Committees 
Faculty Contract and Tenure Review Board
Curriculum Committee
Exhibitions and Exhibition Studies Committee
Handbook Committee
Fiscal Affairs/Remuneration and Benefits Committee
Instructional Resources and Technology Committee (IRTC)
Library and Special Collections Committee
Morale + Support Committee
Sustainability Committee
Visiting Artists Program Advisory Committee

Faculty Business Senate Roster 
Meeting Minutes

Chair of Faculty

Shaurya Kumar 
Professor, Printmedia

Image
An image of Shaurya Kumar standing in a gallery.



The chair of faculty establishes and oversees programs for faculty development as teachers, practitioners, and researchers and works with the deans to develop systems and processes for mentoring all faculty.

Faculty Liaison

Adam Mack 
Associate Professor, Liberal Arts

Image
An image of Adam Mack speaking at a podium.


The faculty liaison works with the chair of faculty to facilitate relations between the faculty and the Office of the Dean of Faculty, Office of the Provost, and Office of the President, providing information and support for faculty issues and questions. 

Academic Department Heads

ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTDEPARTMENT HEAD FOR AY2024-25
Academic SpineRachel Niffenegger
Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects: ArchitectureTristan Sterk
Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects: Designed ObjectsJim TerMeer
Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects: Interior ArchitectureTristan Sterk
Art and Technology/Sound PracticesJudd Morrissey
Art EducationAdam Greteman
Art History, Theory, and CriticismMechtild Widrich
Art Therapy and CounselingAdelheid Mers
Arts Administration and PolicyAdelheid Mers
CeramicsSalvador Jimenez
Contemporary PracticesAndy Hall
Fashion DesignAbigail Glaum-Lathbury
Fiber and Material StudiesChristine Tarkowski
Film, Video, New Media, and AnimationBruce Jenkins
Historic PreservationNicholas Lowe
Liberal ArtsPatrick Rivers
Low-Residency MFAAliza Shvarts
Painting and DrawingLisa Wainwright
PerformanceMark Jeffery
PhotographyAimée Beaubien
PrintmediaJina Valentine
SculptureMary Jane Jacob
Visual and Critical StudiesShawn Smith
Visual Communication DesignPiotr Michura
WritingMark Booth

Faculty Dashboard

Find the Faculty Handbook, guides, and resources on the Faculty Dashboard.