Alfred State College Professor William Dean received the SUNY Distinguished Professor designation at a ceremony held in Albany. The designation is the highest academic honor in the SUNY system and represents the highest level of faculty accomplishment.
Dean has been a faculty member at ASC since 2001. During his 25 years of service, he has been promoted through the academic ranks and reached the Full Professor rank in 2009. He has taught thirteen distinct courses and has worked with countless students both as a classroom teacher and as an advisor and mentor.
“Professor Dean has made a lasting impact on generations of architecture students at Alfred State,” said President Dr. Steven Mauro. “His commitment to his students, his profession, and our college is evident in everything he does. We are incredibly grateful for his contributions, and I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.”
His classes are infused with community engagement. The projects are innovative and allow students to leave the Alfred State with a portfolio of real-world projects in architecture and design to share with employers in their job search.
Dean has served as the lead in the college’s study abroad program in Sorrento, Italy for many years and has mentored a colleague to continue the good work he has been undertaking in Italy so that future students can also take advantage of this unique opportunity within the department.
Previously, Dean was recognized by the ASC College Council with the Leadership through Civic Engagement Award (2013) and was the recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence in 2019.
Professor Dean was instrumental in the creation of the Architecture Living Learning Community (LLC) in 2010. The LLC continues to provide incoming architecture students with a sense of community and provides opportunities for engagement with academics both in and outside the classroom.
He has previously served as the Department Chair and has led several successful NAAB accreditation visits.
Outside of Alfred State, Dean is an active member of the ACE Mentor Program of Rochester Advisory Council, Community Design Resource Center Board of Directors, and AIA Rochester Awards Committee and EDI Committee. He was recognized for his contributions to the discipline when he received the NCARB Scholar in Professional Practice award in 2022 and when he received the Medal of Distinction from the AIA Rochester Chapter in 2024.
Dean is the first person at Alfred State to receive this honor since 2007.