Summary: The National Architectural Accrediting Board directors selected Andrea S. Rutledge, CAE, to be the next NAAB executive director, effective October 1, 2007, to replace Sharon C. Matthews, AIA. Rutledge, who is currently the managing director of the AIA Alliances team, has been responsible for programs and services in support of the AIA College of Fellows, Young Architects Forum, traditionally underrepresented groups, emerging professionals, and architecture educators. She also has represented the AIA in establishing and sustaining relationships with related professional organizations and the architectural collateral associations, of which NAAB is one.

After the October 1 transition, Matthews will continue working in architectural accreditation both in the U.S. and internationally through a consulting relationship with the Center for Quality Assurance in International Education in Washington, D.C.

“The NAAB directors pledge our full support for this challenging and exciting position,” says R. Wayne Drummond, FAIA, president of NAAB and dean of the College of Architecture at the University of Nebraska. “NAAB is focused on the core mission of serving the many diverse schools of architecture throughout our nation and is positioned to become an international leader and partner in architectural education.”

Prior to her work at the AIA, Rutledge’s experience includes positions as vice president for policy and planning at Olivet College, planning and development coordinator at the Institute for Educational Leadership in Washington, D.C., and director of the Administrative Office of the White House. She has taught courses at both Olivet College and The Catholic University of America and has made relevant presentations on teaching firms, measuring academic quality, academic roles and rewards, and transformation in higher education. Rutledge earned her MFA from the Catholic University of America and BA, magna cum laude, from the University of Colorado, Boulder.