VCUarts Qatar Leadership and Governance

VCUarts Qatar, as a branch campus of VCUarts in Richmond, has its own leadership team based in Education City in Doha.  

The campus is led by Dean Amir Berbić, supported by Associate and Assistant Deans and key Administrative and Academic Directors and Chairs.

The campus is governed by a Joint Advisory Board consisting of representatives from Qatar Foundation, VCU home campus, and key stakeholders from the academic and creative community.  

Joint Advisory Board

INDEPENDENT MEMBERS
Gunalan Nadarajan	Dean Emeritus and Professor, Stamps School of Art & Design, University of Michigan
Dr. Venka Purushothaman	Deputy President & Provost, LA SALLE College of the Arts, University of the Arts Singapore
Mark Robbins	President Emeritus, American Academy in Rome
VCU RICHMOND MEMBERS
Dr. Fotis Sotiropoulos (Co-Chair)	Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, VCU
William C. Nelson, Jr.	Senior Vice Provost for Academic Administration and Operations, VCU
Dr. Carmenita Higginbotham	Dean, School of the Arts and Special Assistant to the Provost, VCUarts Qatar.
QF MEMBERS
H.E. Mr. Rachid Mohammed Rachid (Co-Chair)	Managing Director, QInvest LLC
Dr. Amal Mohammed Al-Malki	Associate Professor, Founding Dean(2016-2023), College of Humanities & Social Sciences, HBKU
Wadha Manaa Al Hajri	Qatari designer, Founder of the Wadha design label (www.wadha.co)
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Amir Berbić	Dean, VCU School of the Arts in Qatar
Francisco Marmolejo	President of Higher Education, Qatar Foundation

Administration

Amir Berbić	Dean, VCUarts Qatar
Dr. Cherif Amor	Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Gina Giambattista	Associate Dean for Administration
Dr. Diane Derr	Associate Dean for Research and Development
Greet Provoost	Assistant Dean, Enrollment and Registration Services
Dr. Matthew Nelson	Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

Academic Chairs

Dr. Radha Dalal	Director of Art History
Christopher Fink	Chair of Fashion Design
Mohammad Suleiman	Chair of Interior Design
Dr. Aissa Deebi	Director of Painting + Printmaking
Patty Paine	Director of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Simone Muscolino	Director of Foundation
Astrid Kensinger	Chair of Graphic Design
Rab McClure	Director of MFA in Design
Amy Andres	Director of Libraries

Dean’s Advisory Group

Amir Berbić	Dean
Dr. Cherif Amor	Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Gina Giambattista	Associate Dean for Administration
Kathryn London-Penny	Executive Director of Strategic Communication
Dr. Diane Derr	Associate Dean for Research and Development
Lejla Nikšić	Director of Strategic Engagement
Greet Provoost	Assistant Dean for Enrollment and Registration Services
Dr. Matthew Nelson	Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Dr. Byrad Yyelland	Co-Chair, Faculty Advisory Committee
Hadeer Omar	Co-Chair, Faculty Advisory Committee
Sarah Faheem	Chair, Staff Advisory Committee