Today, Belmont University in Nashville announced that it has named Overland Partners’ senior principal Rick Archer as the new Dean of the O’More College of Architecture & Design, effective Aug. 1. A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects with nearly four decades of distinguished practice, Archer will bring his extensive experience in sustainable design, community engagement and design leadership to guide the College’s growing academic programs.
The appointment comes as O’More College celebrates its rich 55-year heritage in architecture, fashion and interior design education, having originally been founded in 1970 in Franklin, Tennessee, before joining Belmont in 2018.
“Rick exemplifies the visionary leadership at the heart of Belmont’s commitment to excellence in design education,” said Belmont President Dr. Greg Jones. “His work — addressing urgent global challenges like homelessness and international border dynamics — reflects the innovative spirit and Christ-centered mission that define our community. With a remarkable portfolio and a passion for mentoring emerging creative professionals, Rick is poised to lead O’More College into its next chapter, preparing creative professionals to shape communities and spark lasting change.”
Archer succeeds Dr. Jhennifer Amundson at the College, which recently celebrated a historic milestone graduating its first cohort of architecture students this spring. Students in the program have engaged in hands-on projects with community partners to design neighborhood clinics, develop urban solutions and create spaces that meet real community needs.
“I am deeply honored to join O’More College and build upon its extraordinary legacy,” said Archer. “My work has always focused on leveraging design as a vehicle to help all humans flourish across all creative disciplines. The collaborative spirit I’ve witnessed at O’More, with community-engaged projects across fashion, interior design and architecture, exemplifies the holistic design education that prepares students to make meaningful impact through their creative work.”
Archer’s commitment to education spans decades of involvement with universities across the globe. At his alma mater, The University of Texas at Austin, he has led 14 architectural projects that have significantly shaped the campus, served as chair of the School of Architecture Advisory Council and chaired its capital campaign committee. He regularly lectures at universities worldwide about the intersection of faith and design, including at Harvard Graduate School of Design’s inaugural conference on “Faith and Design.”
During his nearly 40-year tenure at Overland Partners, Archer has led the design of internationally recognized projects that prioritize human flourishing and environmental sustainability. His work includes the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, one of the first sustainable public buildings in the country and a precursor to LEED certification; The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center in Dallas, which received the prestigious Rudy Bruner Gold Medal Award for Urban Excellence; and collaboration with renowned artist Ellsworth Kelly on “Austin,” Kelly’s first and only standalone building, located at the University of Texas Blanton Museum of Art.
Under Archer’s leadership as CEO from 2016 to 2023, Overland Partners earned multiple awards, including an AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) Top 10 Award and was named Texas Society of Architects’ Firm of the Year. The firm has grown into an international creative community of 95 employees, with 23 holding ownership positions and staff representing diverse backgrounds from around the world.
“Rick brings an exceptional blend of professional mastery and educational passion that will deeply enrich our students and the campus community,” said University Provost Dr. David Gregory.” He bridges the worlds of innovation and education — exactly what design education today requires. His long-standing commitment to mentoring, paired with a clear vision for how design can transform lives, will prepare our graduates not only to excel in creative careers, but to lead with purpose and impact.”
Archer has demonstrated remarkable leadership in addressing complex social issues. The firm’s work includes designing facilities for vulnerable populations, such as ChildSafe, a trauma-informed care center for abused children in San Antonio that won Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Award, and Haven for Hope, the largest homeless resource center in the U.S. Currently, he is spearheading the ambitious Binational River Conservation Project, a $500 million initiative to restore 6.2 miles of the Rio Grande between Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.
A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture, where he earned his Bachelor of Architecture with highest honors in 1979, Archer is a licensed architect in multiple states and a LEED Accredited Professional. His civic leadership includes founding director of the Texas Lyceum and founding board member and president of SAMM Housing Corporation, a nonprofit focused on providing homes for families facing chronic homelessness. Archer serves on the board of 100 Fold, a not-for-profit architecture studio that trains and equips architects of faith to support underserved individuals and communities around the globe.
An advocate of ongoing learning, mentorship, and community engagement, Rick will continue to practice architecture as Senior Principal at Overland Partners during his tenure as Dean of the O’More College of Architecture & Design.
“At Overland, we are thrilled to see Rick add Dean of O’More College to his growing list of leadership roles,” says Overland Partners’ President and Principal, Adam Bush. “Our firm has long been the beneficiary of Rick’s mentorship, vision and creativity. We look forward to seeing Rick’s impact on Belmont take shape and experiencing first-hand the symbiotic relationship and potential that comes from the synergies between academia and practicing architects.”
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