Chin and Price are newest deans at FAMU 

Special to the Outlook

Florida A&M University has announced the appointment of experienced deans to lead two of the university’s colleges and schools. 

Sarah Price, Ph.D., will serve as dean of the College of Education, and Andrew Chin will serve as dean of the School of Architecture and Engineering Technology, effective immediately.  

“Together, Dr. Price and Andrew Chin embody a standard of excellence that will propel Florida A&M University toward the esteemed status of Carnegie Classified Research 1,” said Allyson L. Watson, Ph.D., provost and vice president of academic affairs. “Their tireless dedication and visionary leadership are poised to elevate our academic units to even greater heights of achievement. I am grateful to have them on my team.”  

Price is a tenured professor with more than 35 years of experience in K-20 education. She has been interim COE dean since 2022, succeeding Watson, who credits her with fostering a culture of innovation and progress within the university’s first established college.  

“Dr. Price spearheaded the establishment of the Education Innovation undergraduate degree and the successful launch of the online Sport Management graduate degree program,” Watson said. “Her strategic vision and collaboration with faculty in the Educational Leadership program has led to a surge in completed research doctorates and faculty expansion, reinforcing the strength of our academic foundation.”   

Price also played an integral role in establishing the college’s fabrication lab and makerspace sponsored by Chevron and the Fab Foundation. The FAMU Chevron STR2EAM Fab Lab is a nearly $1 million initiative that creates more equity in science, technology, reading, research, engineering, arts, and mathematics by providing increased access to advanced technologies and experiential learning opportunities.  

“I am privileged to serve Florida A&M University and lead the College of Education faculty, staff, and students in our most noble profession,” said Price. “Together, we will continue to shape the future of education with an unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation.”   

A native of Martinsville, Va., Price completed her doctorate in Motor Behavior at the University of Florida, received a master’s degree in Adapted Physical Education at Ohio State, and holds a bachelor’s degree in health education and physical Education from Johnson C. Smith University. 

Chin is a tenured associate professor who has 32 years of experience in higher education. He has held several leadership roles within the school, including interim dean, associate dean, assistant dean, and program director for graduate and professional programs. 

Watson praises Chin for expanding the frontiers of architecture and engineering technology to foster academic excellence and student success.  

“He has a resolute focus on bolstering undergraduate and graduate program enrollment that has been a hallmark of his tenure,” Watson said. “His strategic vision underscores the pivotal role of robotics in the future of engineering technology and the need for transformative architectural solutions that push the boundaries of design.” 

Chin’s architecture research has been published in more than 15 journals and primarily focuses on the intersection of race and urban form North Florida communities. In his leadership role, Chin has solidified vital partnerships with the National Park Service, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the State of Floridian Division of Historical Resources to rehabilitate historic buildings on the main campus.

“I am deeply honored to assume the role of the newly appointed dean and continue the legacy of excellence established by the previous SAET dean and current faculty, staff, students, and alums,” said Chin, who had served as interim dean since the retirement of Rodner Wright in 2022. “I look forward to being part of a nationally recognized school that continues to inspire the next generation of design and engineering leaders and innovators.”  

Since 1991, Chin has taught design studios, thesis research, and urban design classes at FAMU, the University of Florida, and the Georgia Institute of Technology. He has secured more than $1 million in external funding from federal and state agencies, and foundations, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Florida Department of Community Affairs, and the Andrew Mellon Foundation.  

Chin grew up in Baldwin, New York, before moving to Florida, where he earned his Bachelor of Design and Master of Architecture from the University of Florida and a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning at Florida State University.