The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture at the City College of New York has announced the appointment of a new dean. Lesley Lokko, an architect and writer, will step into the role in December of 2019 to replace Gordon Gebert, the current interim dean.

Lokko's appointment comes as the Spitzer School prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The Spitzer School includes master's programs in architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning and sustainable design.

Born in Scotland and raised in Ghana, Lokko spends her time traveling between the U.K. and Ghana for life and work. She organized the Graduate School of Architecture at the University of Johannesburg and is currently the director. She earned her doctorate in architecture from the University of London.

After going back to school to train as an architect, she became a full-time novelist and has written 12 books. Her work often deals with race relations and identity. She is the current editor-in-chief of FOLIO: Journal of Contemporary African Architecture.

To read a full news release from CCNY about the new dean, click HERE.