Posted on July 3, 2025
As summer quarter begins, I want to express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the John and Rosalind Jacobi Family Endowed Dean of the College of Built Environments. It’s an honor to step into this role, and I’m deeply thankful for the warm welcome and support I’ve received from across our community.
At its core, CBE is a community of care—interdisciplinary in its approach, creatively engaged, and deeply committed to building a more just and sustainable future. From faculty-led research in climate resilience and housing equity to student initiatives that bring design and policy into real-world application, the breadth and impact of our collective work is both inspiring and essential.
Summer brings a unique rhythm. For some, it’s a season of fieldwork and focused research; for others, a time to teach, learn, plan, or pause. However you’re spending these months, I hope you find time to reconnect with what drives your work—and with the people and places that give it meaning.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to build on our strong foundation by investing in what makes a CBE education so distinctive: inclusive and integrated learning, community-driven partnerships, and bold, forward-thinking ideas. That means working together to support our students, elevate our research, and ensure staff and faculty are empowered to thrive.
This summer, we’ve also begun shaping plans for the academic year ahead—optimizing our internal structures and processes, identifying new opportunities for collaboration, and deepening our alignment with the University’s broader priorities. These are shared efforts, and I remain committed to leading with transparency, intention, and respect for the diverse perspectives and expertise that define CBE.
If you’re on campus, I hope you’ll stop by Gould Hall and say hello. And wherever this summer takes you,thank you for all that you do to shape this remarkable and values-driven community.
Be well,
Ken Yocom, Ph.D.
John and Rosalind Jacobi Family Endowed Dean
College of Built Environments