A pioneering scholar, mentor, and leader, Joanne Bubolz Eicher transformed the study of dress and textiles while inspiring generations of students and colleagues. Her legacy continues through the College of Design and the global community of scholars she helped shape.

The College of Design mourns the loss of Professor Emeritus Roger D. Clemence, who served the University of Minnesota for more than 30 years as a teacher, mentor, and leader.

A recent Historic New England design competition, sparked by Allen Kolkowitz’s (B.Arch ’82) vision to replace a long-standing portable toilet at the iconic Gropius House with a more thoughtful visitor experience, was recently featured in The New York Times. Kolkowitz’s interdisciplinary approach to architecture and design also continues through the Kusske Design Initiative, which reflects the collaborative values he shared with partner Christopher Kusske (BLA ’78).

A globally recognized architect, educator, and College of Design alumnus, William D. Chilton returns to inspire the Class of 2026.

The University of Minnesota’s Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program has earned full accreditation, establishing a newly recognized undergraduate pathway to professional licensure. This milestone marks a major step forward for the College of Design, alongside the renewed accreditation of its Master of Landscape Architecture program.

As cities around the world confront questions of growth, livability, and equity, Sungduck Lee, Assistant Professor and Director of the Geosocial Visualization Lab at the College of Design, offers a new way to think about the impacts of density and the communities it affects. Her new co-authored book, Urban Density Contextualized: Design Strategies for Building Density in Cities (Routledge), examines how design can foster more inclusive, resilient, and human-centered urban environments.

This fall, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities College of Design is opening a new chapter in the state’s creative economy with Minnesota’s first Bachelor of Science in User Experience (UX) Design. Born from the success of the college’s popular UX minor, the program gives students four years to explore the intersection of technology, design, and human behavior. Hear from two of our alumni on the formative impact the UX minor has had on their careers. 

Richard Graves, associate professor of architecture and research director at the Center for Sustainable Building Research (CSBR), has received the University of Minnesota’s Innovation Impact Case Award for advancing sustainable building practices. His work helped shape the Minnesota B3 Sustainable Building Guidelines, launched in response to the state’s Next Generation Energy Act to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Today, B3 continues to set the standard for energy efficiency, resilience, and net-zero goals in state-funded buildings.

Award-winning designer and founder of Studio BV, Betsy Vohs brings her human-centered design philosophy, commitment to social impact, and decades of alumni leadership to guide the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.