Tom Fowler’s administrative duties include directing the graduate architecture program (Masters of Science in Architecture). Professor Fowler’s teaching responsibilities include third year design and building technology courses, working with a range of upper division independent study students, co teaching interdisciplinary (architecture and architectural engineering) fourth year and graduate building design studios and directing his digital-media facility founded in 1997, called the Community Interdisciplinary Design Studio (CIDS). This award-winning facility provides students with access to opportunities for designing and constructing a range of community projects.
During Professor Fowler’s career he has received numerous awards in recognition of his teaching, research and community design activities. Selected recognition includes: 2012 DesignIntelligence’s 25 Most Admired Educators; 2010 ACSA Distinguished Professor Recognition; 2010 Cal Poly State University President’s Service Award (for interdisciplinary community design work), 2010 NCARB Prize for “Design Collaboratory” with Professsors Cabrinha, Doerfler, and Dong; 2009 ACSA’s Creative Achievement Award (for CIDS), Two AIA Education Honor Awards for Integrated Project Studio (IPG) taught in collaboration with Full Time Lecturer Barry Williams and for CIDS in 2008 selected for the AIA Doer’s Profile in 2008, nominated two years in a row (2008-2009 & 2007-2008) for the University’s Distinguished Teaching Award and Distinguished Scholarship Award (also a finalist for 2008-2009), received the College of Architecture and Environmental Design Wesley Award for Teaching Excellence in 2007, the Architecture Department’s Faculty Teaching Award in 2005, nominated by Cal Poly’s College of Architecture in both 2001 and 2000 for both the “U.S. Professor of the Year Award” and the California State University System’s “Wang Outstanding Teaching Award”, received the “Young Faculty Teaching Award” from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture/American Institute of Architecture Students (ACSA/AIAS) in 1996- 1997”, and was selected as part of the “Young Architects” Competition, Progressive Architecture Magazine, July 1994.