David Rifkind, PhD, Appointed Dean of the College of Architecture and Planning at CU Denver

The University of Colorado Denver is pleased to announce the appointment of David Rifkind, PhD, as the next dean of the College of Architecture and Planning (CAP), effective July 1, 2025. Dr. Rifkind brings a distinguished career in scholarship, leadership, and professional achievement that will help drive student success, faculty collaboration, and the college’s impact on the built environment and the communities it serves.

Commitment to Public Higher Education

Dr. Rifkind most recently served as director of the School of Architecture and Ivan H. Smith Endowed Professor at the University of Florida from 2021 to 2024, where he oversaw a department with more than 500 students and seven degree programs across four campuses in Florida and Italy.

In parallel with the College of Architecture and Planning’s reaccreditation of its Master of Architecture, Master of Urban and Regional Planning, and Master of Landscape Architecture degree programs in 2023, Dr. Rifkind led the University of Florida’s School of Architecture through its successful National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) reaccreditation process, completed in 2022. During his tenure, he worked with faculty to develop new academic programs, initiated a high school dual-enrollment program, built partnerships with local community colleges, and significantly expanded external grant funding opportunities to support the school’s academic programs.

“I am committed to the mission of public higher education,” Dr. Rifkind said, “and I am excited about what we can achieve together as we tackle the most pressing issues of our time.”

Building on a Tradition of Excellence

“The legacy of exceptional teaching, scholarship, creative activity, and community engagement at CAP is truly impressive,” Dr. Rifkind said. “My first goal as dean will be to support this work by making sure faculty have the resources they need to continue building on this tradition of excellence and that our students have the support they need to succeed in the classroom and in their careers. I’m also excited about enriching a vibrant college culture that supports new types of instruction, research, invention, and public service.”

Dr. Rifkind brings a global mindset and a spirit of curiosity to his work—perspectives that are foundational to the College of Architecture and Planning. He has practiced architecture in Boston, London, and South Florida and has held faculty and administrative roles at the University of Florida, Florida International University, the University of Virginia, Parsons School of Design, and Columbia University, among others. His research and teaching have also taken him to Ethiopia and Italy.

An architectural designer and historian, Dr. Rifkind’s research focuses on architecture and urbanism in Ethiopia, the subject of his forthcoming book Modern Ethiopia: Architecture, Urbanism, and the Building of the Nation. His book on African American building culture is supported by a National Endowment for the Humanities grant. His academic credentials include a doctorate and master’s degrees from Columbia University, a master’s in architecture from McGill University, and a bachelor’s from the Boston Architectural Center.

Advancing the Mission of the College of Architecture and Planning

Dr. Rifkind’s extensive expertise and leadership will be instrumental in advancing the college’s mission. “I am deeply impressed with the college’s commitment to access and inclusivity, its legacy of impactful community engagement, and its pursuit of excellence in research and creative activity,” he said. “I look forward to collaborating with the exceptional faculty, staff, and students at CAP to build on these strengths and shape a dynamic future.”

With Dr. Rifkind’s appointment, CAP enters an exciting new chapter of growth and innovation. The university looks forward to Dr. Rifkind’s leadership in fostering a collaborative and forward-thinking environment for students, faculty, and the broader architecture and planning disciplines.