Daniel Harper

Associate Dean Daniel Harper has primary oversight of the undergraduate programs. His responsibilities will extend into aspects of every degree program. Harper brings a wealth of experience as a designer, an academic administrator, a researcher, a professor, and an expert in evidence-based design. He has a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration from Ohio University, and a Master of Interior Design from Harrington College of Design. A design educator since 2006, he served as assistant dean for the College of Fine Arts at Ohio University, and most recently, was the professor who chaired the interior architecture programs there. He has published extensive research, including a co-authored book on makerspaces in academic libraries called Academic Library Makerspaces: A Practical Guide to Planning, Collaborating, and Supporting Campus Innovation. His current research is focused on interior designers as leaders. He has presented his research at conferences all over the world. He began his career as a design practitioner for 14 years in commercial and healthcare design. He’s also an award-winning textile artist who creates art quilts. “I believe in leadership as service,” says Harper. “I’m here to support our students and the faculty through the rollout of a new curriculum, initiatives to increase and strengthen diversity and inclusion, program accreditation/reaccreditation, new program development, expanding study abroad…just to name a few priorities.”