Leadership Team
Dr. Steve Altman—President
Dr. Altman joined NSAD as its president in May 2006, bringing a wide range of academic and business experience to his new role.
He previously served as president of the University of Central Florida and Texas A&M University, Kingsville; was the provost and vice president of academic affairs at Florida International University; and held various other teaching and administrative positions at FIU and the University of Southern California. During his tenure, he developed the foundation for two new architecture schools and dozens of other new programs.
Dr. Altman is the author of 13 books and more than two dozen articles on management, leadership, education, health care, and organization development. He has won several awards for outstanding teaching and professional leadership and has been a neutral arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association.
In addition to a long history of accomplishments in academia, Dr. Altman holds a doctoral degree in business management from the University of Southern California and an MBA from the same institution. He received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from UCLA
contact Dr. Steve Altman
Gilbert D. Cooke, AIA—Dean 
A former five-year president of NSAD, Gilbert Cooke previously served as the director of the architecture department at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Dean Cooke has practiced architecture for more than 30 years. He is a past president of both the Baltimore AIA chapter and the Maryland Society of the AIA. He was the director of education for the California Central Coast Chapter and now serves as an ex-officio member of the San Diego Chapter. He was also a member of the Maryland Architectural Registration Board for 10 years, serving as chair for the last seven.
Mr. Cooke was elected as regional director and later served as national treasurer for NCARB. He was appointed to the board of directors of the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) and served as both secretary and treasurer. He was a member and/or chair of 21 NAAB visiting teams.
Mr. Cooke taught at the Maryland Institute of Art and Morgan State University. While at Cal Poly, he expanded its off-campus programs, developed inter-college classes and guided an already excellent and established program to a level of national recognition.
He currently serves on the board of directors of the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture, the San Diego Architectural Foundation, the ACE Mentorship Program, and he is a regent for the California Architectural Foundation. He received the 2006 AIA California Council Citation for Excellence in Education. Also in 2006, he was the first recipient of NSAD’s Richard Welsh Distinguished Service Award.
Mr. Cooke did his undergraduate studies at the University of Cincinnati and earned his Master of Architecture degree from Cranbrook Academy.
contact Gilbert D. Cooke
Kurt Hunker, AIA—Graduate Programs Chair
Kurt Hunker has been associated with NSAD since 1989 while continuing to be a practicing architect. He has won multiple design awards from the AIA and others. He heads the school’s Design Clinic that pursues community projects with San Diego–based entities.
Mr. Hunker has been recognized as NSAD Teacher of the Year on two occasions, serves as guest lecturer to many local and regional organizations, and has had his designs published in regional and national periodicals.
Mr. Hunker received a Master of Architecture degree from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University and a B.S. in Architecture from the Ohio State University.
contact Kurt Hunker
Mitra Kanaani, AIA, D.Arch—Undergraduate Department Chair
Dr. Mitra Kanaani joined NSAD in 1992. She is a registered architect actively engaged as a leader in several professional organizations, including her recent election as national secretary of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA).
She serves as an international evaluator for the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). She is also a certified accessibility consultant with the International Code Council (ICC) and serves on the ICC’s San Diego Chapter.
Dr. Kanaani holds a Doctor of Architecture degree from the University of Hawaii and earned a Master of Architecture degree from the University of New Mexico. She earned a Master of Urban Planning degree and bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Tehran, as well as an undergraduate degree in musicology from the Tehran Conservatory of Classical Music.
contact Mitra Kanaani
Michael Stepner, FAIA, FAICP—Faculty Coordinator
Michael Stepner is a former San Diego city architect, San Diego chief planner, and former dean of NSAD. He also served as president of the San Diego AIA Chapter and the San Diego Council of Design Professionals.
Mr. Stepner is a frequent speaker on various subjects, including urban planning and design, land use, and social roles of architects. He is a fellow of the AIA, Institute for Urban Design, and the American Institute of Certified Planners. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Illinois.
