Dominique serves as our Enrollment Support Specialist at NewSchool of Architecture and Design, where she is often the first point of contact for prospective students beginning their educational journey. She is committed to creating a welcoming, seamless experience that helps students feel confident as they explore programs aligned with their goals and creative interests.
With a strong background in higher education and training, Dominique previously served as a Senior Career Services Manager, where she supported students in navigating career pathways, building employer relationships, and making informed decisions about their futures. This experience shaped her ability to guide individuals through important transitions with clarity, empathy, and a student-centered approach.
Known for her responsiveness, organization, and positive energy, Dominique excels at building meaningful connections and providing clear, personalized guidance. She is passionate about ensuring every student’s journey starts with a supportive and engaging first impression, helping them take the next step toward their academic and career aspirations.
Tommy Hernandez graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from the NewSchool of Architecture & Design in 2020, with minors in Construction Management and Neuroscience for Architecture. He has been actively involved in professional and community service, volunteering as a board member for the NewSchool Foundation, Balboa Park’s Committee of 100, and the San Diego Architectural Foundation. Professionally, Tommy serves as a Design Coordinator with DBRDS, where he contributes to a range of architectural projects. In academia, Tommy is an adjunct faculty member at his alma mater and currently serves as the AIAS-NewSchool Chapter Faculty Advisor, supporting the development of emerging designers and future architects.
Blas Herrera studied architecture at Woodbury University in San Diego, California. In 2010 he moved to Mexico City to work for COLECTIVO MX, where he has collaborated in projects such as laboratories and offices for Probiomed and L’Oreal. He was teacher assistant for the Master of Washington University, St. Louis, summer program abroad, held in San Diego. He has worked in CROstudio, a collaborative practice that focuses on urban renewal through architecture, in urban studies at the border between Tijuana and San Diego. Blas earned his Master’s in Landscape and Urbanism at Woodbury University, San Diego and is currently collaborating in CROstudio and teaches at NewSchool of Architecture & Design.
Education
Master of Architecture, NewSchool of Architecture & Design
Bachelor’s Degree, Architecture and Interior Architecture, Auburn University
About
Richard Hess is an accomplished designer with over 23 years of expertise in architecture, interior, and furniture design. He obtained his bachelor’s degrees in architecture and interior architecture from Auburn University before pursuing a Master of Architecture at NewSchool of Architecture & Design, where he graduated top of his class. Currently, Richard serves as the Director of Career Services at his alma mater, while teaching thesis and portfolio courses, equipping graduates for careers in the ever-evolving field of architecture and design.
Education
Master of Architecture, NewSchool of Architecture & Design
Bachelor’s Degree, NewSchool of Architecture & Design
About
Ivan Hu is a seasoned designer and project manager with over a decade of expertise in architecture and construction. He earned both his Bachelor’s Degree and Master in Architecture from NewSchool of Architecture & Design, graduating at the top of his class with Summa Cum Laude and High Distinction honors. Ivan’s passion lies in creating cohesive, impactful designs with a meticulous eye for detail and a drive to explore innovative solutions to complex challenges.
Currently, Ivan serves as a senior project lead at Ferguson Pape Baldwin Architects, where he oversees projects from schematic design through construction completion, managing a diverse range of project types and sizes from small tenant improvement to multi-buildings campus. He also contributes to the academic community as an adjunct faculty member at NewSchool, where he coordinates the Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) program and manages the Internship Class.
In addition to his professional and academic pursuits, Ivan is an award-winning photographer recognized throughout Southern California.
Dr. Jin Huang has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our board of directors since our inception in August 2000. Dr. Huang has over 17 years of academic and industry experience in Silicon Valley. Prior to founding Ambow, Dr. Huang was a founding engineer at Avant!, where she was responsible for product design and engineering management. Dr. Huang holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, a master’s degree in Computer Science and a Ph.D. in Electronic Engineering from the University of Electronic Science & Technology of China. From 1990 to 1993, Dr. Huang was doing research and completed her Ph.D. dissertation at the University of California, Berkeley.
Education
Master of Architecture, University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts, Architecture and Finance, University of San Diego
About
Bohan Lang is an architectural designer at SmithGroup. He holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with distinction, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of San Diego where he double majored in architecture and finance. Bohan has previously worked at firms such as Kohn Pedersen Fox and Array Architects, contributing to large-scale adaptive reuse, healthcare, and mixed-use projects. His expertise spans digital visualization, graphic design, digital modeling, parametric design, with a strong interest in material science, prefab construction, digital fabrication, and emerging technologies.
Master of Architecture, Darmstadt University of Technology
Bachelor of Architecture, Darmstadt University of Technology
Daniela Deutsch was educated in Darmstadt, Germany, where she earned both her Bachelor and Master of Architecture degrees. Daniela is multi-lingual and her architecture and teaching careers have flourished both in Germany and the United States. She is the co-founder of the award-winning firm, exitecture architekten, in Frankfurt, Germany, and Principal of exitecture archLab Inc. in San Diego, California. She has also worked as a project designer with Schneider and Schumacher (Frankfurt, Germany) and with Westfield, LLC Design Carrier Johnson + Culture, and Ballinger AE in the U.S.
Her teaching experience is as diverse as her professional efforts. Daniela has had a successful teaching career in both Germany and the U.S., spanning over 20 years. In the U.S., she has taught at Woodbury University, San Diego State University, University of California San Diego, University of San Diego, and Boston Architectural School.
At NewSchool, Daniela is the Chief Academic Officer and the Dean of Architecture, and her most recent academic interests have led her to develop various interdisciplinary courses (both design studio and lecture classes), linking architecture to scientific theory as well as to the philosophy of technology and environmental sciences. Her methodology for teaching design is informed by her natural affinity to architectural practice as well as health, and environmental considerations. Representative examples of some of the more recent Integrated Design Studio projects are, “The Ford District” in Portland, Oregon, “A Waterfront for All” in Seattle, Washington, the “National City Project” in National City, California, and the 2019-2020 studio project, “A Wetlands Education and Research Center at Kendall-Frost Marsh” in Mission Bay, San Diego.
Recent awards with her firm, exitecture, are for the project WineBANK Mainz, winning a special mention in the category of Excellent Communication Design – Interior Architecture at the 2019 German Design Awards, and for the project LINDLEY LINDENBERG, in Frankfurt, Germany, chosen as one of the top 3 concepts in the Hotel Property Award of the Year 2019, as well as one of the 25 Coolest Hotels of the World by the FORBES List.
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