A native of Pittsburgh, Marleen Kay Davis, an ACSA Distinguished Professor, received degrees in architecture from both Cornell and Harvard Universities. She has been a licensed architect since 1981 and has worked in a structural engineering firm and well-known architectural firms in the Northeast. In 1981, Marleen Davis joined the faculty at the Syracuse University School of Architecture. In 1993, she was named The Syracuse University Scholar Teacher of the Year. In 1994, when the University of Tennessee named her as Dean of the College of Architecture and Design, Marleen Davis was the fifth woman ever appointed to a deanship of an American architecture program. She served as dean until 2003. During that period of time, she worked to enhance the quality of the programs in the college with dedication to recruiting, a commitment to diversity, improvements in technology, support for faculty development, and efforts in outreach and fundraising. Upon retiring, she calculated she has taught over 6000 students in Arc 101, a range of studio courses. technology courses, electives, and a new course, The American City. Marleen Davis has participated actively in professional organizations at the local and national levels. In Knoxville, she has served in a variety campus planning roles, downtown task forces, and community boards. Throughout her academic career, Marleen Davis has received a number of awards for her hypothetical work in urban design. Design can be a form of applied research in which contemporary urban theories are applied in different contexts, particularly in Knoxville’s urban neighborhoods.

Education

Bachelor of Architecture, Cornell University
Masters of Architecture, Harvard University

Expertise & Interests

• Urban Design
• Design Pedagogy