![](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/NAMES-Renee-Cheng-copy.jpg)
Renée Cheng joined the University of Washington on Jan. 1 as new dean of the UW College of Built Environments.
She was previously at the University of Minnesota, where she was a professor and associate dean of its school of architecture and design.
A licensed architect, Cheng is a leader in the American Institute of Architects and advocates for equity in the architecture field and practices related to the built environment.