Jordana Maisel Appointed to Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
BY KELLY SHELDON
Published June 9, 2025
Jordana Maisel, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
The UB School of Architecture and Planning is proud to announce the promotion of Jordana Maisel to the position of Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. She succeeds Erkin Özay who recently took on the role of Chair of the Department of Architecture.
Maisel is an associate professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning as well as Director of the School’s Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA Center). Her research focuses on examining and improving, through inclusive design, the relationship between the built environment and the physical, social, and psychological well-being of marginalized populations.
She brings experience designing and conducting experimental studies in the laboratory and field; analyzing data; and capturing and interpreting stakeholder perspectives with surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Maisel has led research in the areas of public transportation, street infrastructure, post occupancy evaluations, and accessible housing policy.
“I’m honored to step into this role following a line of dedicated colleagues whose commitment to academic excellence has guided the School through pivotal periods of growth and change,” says Maisel. “Building on their legacy, I aim to advance that same commitment by leading initiatives that foster innovation in curriculum design, strengthen academic operations, and ensure our programs remain rigorous, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving needs of our students and the broader world.
A longtime member of the UB community, Maisel has held multiple roles over the past 25 years – including graduate student, research employee, faculty member, and center director. Through these experiences, she has built strong cross-departmental relationships and gained deep insight into the School’s academic and operational landscape. “I look forward to the challenge – with gratitude for the support of colleagues and with a deep commitment to listening, adapting, and contributing in ways that move us forward,” she reflected.
“I’m honored to step into this role following a line of dedicated colleagues whose commitment to academic excellence has guided the School through pivotal periods of growth and change."
Maisel has also co-authored The Goals of Universal Design, Universal Design: Creating Inclusive Environments (2012), Accessible Public Transportation (2018), and Inclusive Design: Implementation and Evaluation (2018), as well as numerous peer-reviewed publications. She earned her B.S. in Human Development from Cornell University and holds a Master of Urban Planning and Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University at Buffalo.
Maisel will assume the role of Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in July 2025.