Trevor Bullen, AIA brings a passion for making a positive impact on students, the industry, and the community
Dunwoody College of Technology is excited to announce that Trevor Bullen, AIA has been named Dean of the new School of Design at the College. In this new role, Bullen will bring together three of the College’s sought-after design-focused programs: Architecture, Interior Design, and Graphic Design.
Taking on this position will also allow Bullen to combine his experience and expertise in the architecture field with his passion for impacting future professionals and the community through education.
“I am so happy to be joining the Dunwoody family at such an exciting time,” Bullen said. “I look forward to contributing to Dunwoody College’s more than 100 year legacy of hands-on learning and innovation.”
A broadly experienced architect, with more than 25 years of professional practice, Bullen brings to Dunwoody significant international experience; having worked on a wide range of architecture, landscape architecture and planning projects in Europe, the Caribbean, and the United States.
“I know Trevor will draw on his tremendous experience, background and professional network to transform the student experience in these programs,” Scott Stallman, Provost at Dunwoody College said. “With Trevor leading a group of talented Dunwoody faculty and administrators, more students will realize their goal of graduating with a degree from Dunwoody College of Technology.”
A graduate of the architecture program at City College of New York, Bullen went on to receive his Master of Architecture from Harvard University, followed by his Master of Studies – Interdisciplinary Design of the Built Environment from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom.
Throughout his career Bullen has remained active in academia. He has taught architectural design at the Boston Architectural College, the City College of New York as well as the University of Minnesota, and is a frequent guest critic at schools of architecture nationwide.
In 2000, Bullen founded the Caribbean Office of Co-Operative Architecture (COCOA) in Grenada, where he is originally from. Under his leadership, COCOA went on to become an award-winning architecture and planning consultancy, which successfully completed more than 30 residential, commercial, and institutional projects, including Grenada’s new House of Parliament. The work of his firm has been published extensively in journals and books as well as being exhibited at the 2021 Architecture Biennale in Venice.
Most recently he was a Senior Associate and Director of Operations at Snow Kreilich Architects, the recipient of the 2018 AIA Architecture Firm Award.
It was in this role that Bullen became involved with the architecture program at Dunwoody, although he was first introduced to the program shortly after moving to the Twin Cities. Just before accepting the position at Snow Kreilich, Bullen interviewed for a faculty position at the College. He kept track of the program after that, serving on review panels and staying connected with the school.
“Over the last few years, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in design reviews at Dunwoody,” Bullen said. “I have seen firsthand the impressive growth and maturation of the program. I’ve been really impressed by dedication and tenacity of the faculty and students, and look forward to working with them to build on their success.”
As someone who enjoys helping other people succeed, Bullen said Dunwoody felt like a place where he could make an impact, so when the Dean position came up it was an opportunity he couldn’t say no to.
“I really began to see this a way of having a larger impact, particularly in the industry, because I know that disparities exist and that representation matters,” Bullen said.
Bullen said he appreciates Dunwoody’s connection to the profession and the direct line between what is being taught and what is needed in the field.
“I think that being able to bring people into their professions with the tools they need on day one is something that will continue to be the focus of the school,” he said. “Learning by doing is important. It’s important to the way in which we learn. Design fields are a hands-on endeavor.”
The focus on collaboration and interdisciplinary understanding, along with community engagement and social responsibility will continue to be a strength and differentiator for the new School of Design under Bullen’s leadership.
“Having opportunities to have cross disciplinary learning within the School of Design will make our students that much more prepared in the real world,” he said.
“Talented leaders like Trevor are attracted to Dunwoody because they believe in what Dunwoody does,” Dr. Stallman said. “We prepare students for high paying jobs in high demand fields. Our students are ready to begin work the first day they start and employers know that. I think Trevor really understand what distinguishes a Dunwoody degree program from other colleges.”
About Dunwoody
Founded in 1914, Dunwoody College of Technology is the only private, not-for-profit technical college in the Upper Midwest. Having provided hands-on, applied technical education to more than 250,000 men and women, Dunwoody is the college for experimenters and makers, a place where the curious and the confident learn by doing. Located in Minneapolis, Dunwoody offers a unique campus experience in dedicated labs, studios, and shops that treats students like future professionals from day one. With certificates, associate’s, and bachelor’s degrees in more than 46 majors – including engineering, robotics, design and other STEM-related fields – Dunwoody challenges students to come determined and graduate destined. More information on Dunwoody can be found at www.dunwoody.edu or by following Dunwoody on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.