(Denver, Sept. 3, 2026) – The next generation of learners deserve campuses designed for the future of education. It’s a belief that drives DLR Group’s Higher Education Sector, and it’s shared by three new accomplished designers joining the firm.

DLR Group recently welcomed Mary Gallagher, IIDA, LEED AP ID+C; Susan Morgan, AIA, LEED AP BD+C; and Whitney Pearce, AIA, LEED AP. The three bring more than 55 years of combined experience to DLR Group, where they will help plan and design the sustainable, human-centered academic environments of the future.

The hires are another move to align DLR Group’s regional efforts with a broader global vision to grow its higher education campus design work. With increasing enrollment numbers and a diverse array of public and private institutions, both California and the Northeast represent important regions in higher education today and looking toward the future.

Principal and Senior Interior Designer Mary Gallagher, IIDA, LEED AP ID+C

Over her 25 years of experience in the Higher Education Sector, Gallagher has created and led interior design strategies for complex academic, research, healthcare, and life sciences projects. Her portfolio centers on projects in highly technical learning and research environments that incorporate sustainability, innovation, and user experience into their interior designs.

At DLR Group, Gallagher will design academic spaces that meet the needs of the students and communities they serve while furthering broader institutional goals. She’s passionate about interior design that promotes wellness, neurodiversity, and student success.

“My motivation and foundational goal is always to support institutions as they evolve, building on the ways their success impacts the community’s growth and vitality,” Gallagher said. “Investing in innovative Higher Ed design raises expectations everywhere and advances the standards for quality education across the board.”

Gallagher’s past work includes projects for leading higher education and healthcare institutions across the United States like Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Harvard University, Princeton University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Penn State Health. She has served as lead interior designer on projects recognized with multiple International Interior Design Association awards, including a national IIDA interior design award.

Principal and Higher Education Leader Susan Morgan, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Through more than 20 years of design leadership experience, Morgan’s portfolio includes renovation, adaptive reuse, and the creation of resilient, forward-thinking campus environments. Stepping into her role at DLR Group, Morgan will use this experience to foster strong relationships with higher education clients across the Northeast.

Morgan’s experience in higher education means she herself is an active participant in the campus environment, giving her a unique perspective as she works on academic projects.

“As a former researcher, current teacher, and lifelong participant in the design of spaces of learning, I’m so energized by the work DLR Group is doing and I’m inspired to work alongside our teams and clients to create learning environments that make a lasting difference,” Morgan said.

Morgan is engaged in the architecture community both nationally and in Boston, serving as vice chair of the American Institute of Architects Committee on Architecture for Education and as co-chair of the Boston Society for Architecture’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Network.

Principal and Higher Education Client Leader Whitney Pearce, AIA, LEED AP

Over her decade-plus career, Pearce has combined collaborative leadership with the kind of design rigor that DLR Group’s California clients need as they pursue ambitious campus projects. Her past work includes complex, nationally recognized projects using design-build and progressive design-build delivery methods.

Pearce will strengthen the firm’s ability to partner with California’s vast network of colleges and universities – including both public and private institutions – to align campus development strategies with institutional priorities.

“I believe great design is measured by the impact it has on the people and communities it serves – and by the care and craftsmanship that bring it to life,” Pearce said. “I’m passionate about using storytelling to connect people to a project’s vision, helping diverse stakeholders find common ground and see how design can support the institution’s mission.”

Pearce also contributes to industry leadership in the region through roles with the City of San Diego’s Climate Advisory Board, the San Diego Green Building Council, and the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation.

By bringing on this new talent into its Higher Education practice, DLR Group is reinforcing its commitment to designing campus environments that promote success for students, institutions, and broader communities.