Dr. Andrew Payne serves as the founding dean and professor of architecture at Florida Southern College’s School of Architecture, on the historic Frank Lloyd Wright campus. With a distinguished career in higher education and academic leadership, Dr. Payne brings deep expertise in architecture, construction management, interior design, campus planning, universal design, graphic design, and art.
Before joining FSC, Dr. Payne was dean and professor at Kennesaw State University’s College of Architecture and Construction Management (2020–2025), and chair of the Department of Built Environment at Indiana State University, where he led academic programs while continuing his consultancy as principal of Studio GAP. His scholarly and professional work has focused on campus planning, accessibility, universal design, and materiality.
Dr. Payne has also taught at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and previously served as an assistant researcher with the Center for Universal Design at NC State University, where he conducted accessibility workshops and building evaluations. His Ph.D. in design, also from NC State, focused on wayfinding strategies for visually impaired pedestrians.
With extensive professional experience at architectural design firms throughout the Southeast and a long record of teaching design studios and interdisciplinary courses, Dr. Payne is committed to student-centered education and shaping the next generation of architects through a blend of heritage, innovation, and immersive experience.
