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Blog Archives

Andre Tejeda

Andre Tejeda

Education

Masters in Building Construction, Georgia Institute of Technology

BBA in Marketing, Augusta State University – College of Business Administration

About Andre

With a wealth of experience spanning various roles and industries, Andre Tejeda is a seasoned professional in industrial development, construction, and academia. Currently serving as Sr. Principal for Industrial Development & Construction at Chick-fil-A Corporate Support Center, he oversees strategic initiatives and project execution. Additionally, as an Adjunct Professor at NewSchool of Architecture and Design, Andre imparts his knowledge and expertise to future construction professionals. Prior to his current roles, he held leadership positions at CBRE and HD Supply, where he managed complex construction projects and programs. With a strong foundation in project management and construction services, Andre brings valuable insights and skills to every endeavor.

Vinh Tu

Vinh Tu brings over 15 years of dedicated experience in the education sector to his role as Director of Enrollment and Marketing. With a primary focus on admissions and enrollment, Vinh has spent his career helping students navigate their educational journeys.

His professional background is extensive and multidisciplinary, encompassing sales management, corporate training, project management, and professional life coaching. Vinh leverages this diverse skillset to not only lead his team but to ensure that every student’s enrollment experience is personalized and supportive.

A practitioner of servant leadership, Vinh prioritizes the growth and well-being of his team and the students they serve. deeply influenced by Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, he applies these principles to create a proactive and empathetic culture. Vinh is driven by the belief that education is the key to opening doors, and he is a strong advocate for the idea that there is no single “right” path to success, championing non-traditional educational routes for those whom they benefit most.

Brett Tullis

Education

  • Master of Architecture, Montana State University
  • Bachelor of Architecture, Montana State University

About Brett

Brett Tullis has been practicing architecture in San Diego since 1992 and is currently a Principal at Sillman Wright Architects https://www.sillmanwright.com/. Brett is a Leader who is focused on creating collaborative dynamic architectural solutions that exceeds the Client’s goals of function, sustainability, value, and schedule.

A long-time collaborator & lecturer with NewSchool, Brett and shares their vision of a collaborative design process focused on design excellence and sustainability partnered with professional business practice. Brett believes in an integrated team approach to design and construction that embraces the collaborative LEAN concepts of reducing waste and maximizing productivity. As a member of the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) he was instrumental in establishing a DBIA Student Chapter at NewSchool and is an Advisor to the DBIA Young Professionals Group. Brett received the DBIA Distinguished Leadership Award for his contributions to further the goals of Collaborative Design.

As an Advisor to the Integrated Path to Architecture Licensure (IPAL) Advisory Board, Brett supports the integrated approach to Education and Practice at New School providing professional guidance and insight as well as intern and job shadow opportunities. Brett is a LEED AP BD+C who is committed to designing Healthy Buildings that respect the Environment, Conserve Water and Reduce Energy Use with the goal of Net Zero Energy use. Design Excellence is a critical component of all projects and he has received Multiple Design Awards to recognize this vision.

Additional Information

  • Principal Architect at Sillman Wright Architects since 2009
  • California Licensed Architect
  • NCARB
  • American Institute of Architects (AIA) Member
  • Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Member
  • DBIA Distinguished Leadership Award
  • Juror DBIA WPR Awards Competition Design
  • LEED AP BD+C
  • US Green Building Council Member
  • San Diego Regional Partnership Member
  • Lean Construction Institute
  • Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) Member

Natalia Volodina

About

Experienced Science professional in the area of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry and biomedical writing and communication (conference presentations, publishing books, my research, review articles and lab manuals and course summaries in English, Russian and French) and a Professor of Biology with 15+ years of teaching experience at post-secondary level.  My science research post-Ph.D. interests have been in the area of neurodegeneration and a student-based antibiotic discovery / soil bacteria microbiome project development. Besides science, my professional interests include international business ( I am an active entrepreneur in the education field and I’m teaching Management and International Business at Palomar College as well).

She currently teaches Environmental Biology and Principles of Management.

Maia Wakefield

Headshot of Maia

Maia serves as Assistant Director of Enrollment at NewSchool of Architecture and Design, where she is committed to helping students discover educational pathways that align with their passions and career goals.

With over two years of experience as an Outreach Mentor at San Diego Mesa College, Maia worked directly with high school students to help them feel confident in their college decisions. She has a talent for breaking down the college application process, answering questions with clarity and care, and creating a welcoming space where students feel supported and empowered. Whether working with students one-on-one or speaking to classrooms, Maia brings energy, empathy, and a strong sense of purpose to every interaction.
With an extensive background in sales—emphasizing leadership, training and development, and retention—Maia combines strategic insight with a student-centered approach. She is passionate about building meaningful connections, guiding students toward the right program fit, and helping them take the first steps toward the career of their dreams.

George L. Welch

Education

  • Master of Public Administration, Walden University
  • Bachelor of Architecture, University of Illinois

About George

George Welch has played a number of integral roles at NewSchool, including serving as an initial member of NewSchool of Architecture & Design, LLC, as well as previously serving as the Chair of the Construction Management Program, during which he contributed to the development and expansion of the program.

Welch, who worked in the design construction business for more than 35 years before relocating to San Diego, has significant experience in all phases of real estate development, including design, code compliance, construction, ownership, management and sales, and state agency work.

Memberships

  • Associate, American Institute of Architects (AIA)
  • Member, Construction Management Association of America
  • Member, International Code Council
  • Member, Kendall College Charitable Trust
  • Finance Board Member, St. Paul’s Methodist Church
  • Board of Directors, ACE Mentorship

David White

Headshot of David White

David White is Associate Professor in Architecture and the First-Year Level Coordinator at the Newschool of Architecture and Design. He holds am MFA from the University of California, San Diego with emphasis on Multi-Media and Public Culture and BFA from The Ohio State University. He was the founder of Agitprop, a community engagement art space in San Diego, California, operated from 2007-2014 with an emphasis on art, architecture and urban issues. He was Curatorial Consultant to San Diego Museum of Art from 2010-2012; Exhibitions include: The 2010 California Biennial, Orange County, CA; “Individuation” at the Berliner Kunstverien, Berlin, Germany; MIFF Exhibition, Crealab, Medellin, Colombia, Being Here With You” at the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, among others. Work has been included in publications such as Art Forum, Wired.com, Visual Art Source, PBS’s Art21 Blog, The San Diego Union Tribune, among others. He has also taught as a Lecturer in architecture at the University of San Diego in the department of Art, Architecture and Art History. 

 

Nathan White

About Nathan

Mr. White has over fifteen years of education and practice in design, management, development and construction. He is a real estate developer, professional project manager and a construction adviser leader of full turn key development services for projects of all scales in Southern California and Northern Baja California quickly branching out to the global market. As the CEO of AGESS, Inc., Nathan has been able to gain support from many local and state agencies for the Desert Shores Restoration project which was just allocated funds through the California Natural Resources Agency’s Salton Sea Management 10 year plan. Currently “Tres Lagunas” development (pictured above) is bringing binational partners together for a 1 billion dollar project to restore the Colorado River Basin by restoring the Northern Sea of Cortez, Laguna Salada and Salton Sea as a global climate change mitigation and management infrastructure effort. Mr. White is also a Development Project Manager II with the City of San DIego Development Services Department with an aim of bringing practical development experience and large scale planning tools to the New School curriculum for Urban Planning.

D. R. (DAVID) Widder

About D.R. (DAVID) Widder

D.R. Widder has served as Vice President at Babson College (Innovation, Strategy, & Partnership Development)
Highly accomplished business development executive with an extensive record of achievement leading creation and delivery of transformational strategies and programs in entrepreneurial environments. As an innovator and strategist, forges the intersection of technology and business to create sustainable value and support scalable growth. Leveraging in-depth analytical skills, finance knowledge, and systems-thinking, conceptualizes and develop new lines of business and serve as a key contributor to merger activity to drive organizational success.

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