Monica Penick

Monica Penick is an Associate Professor of Design at the University of Texas at Austin's School of Architecture, serving as Associate Chair and a Visiting Scholar at the Harry Ransom Center. She holds a dual Bachelor’s from Stanford University, a Doctorate in Architectural History from UT Austin, and previously served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2012-2017). Her research explores modern design's cultural and political dimensions, media's influence on design narratives, and the intersection of design with nationalism and identity.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree (Honors), Cultural History and Classical Studies, Stanford University
• Doctorate in Architectural History, University of Texas at Austin

Penick’s work emphasizes visual communication and exhibition design, currently co-curating an exhibition at the Harry Ransom Center with Christopher Long. Her acclaimed book Tastemaker (2017) redefines postwar American design history through the lens of House Beautiful’s Elizabeth Gordon. Her research is supported by major fellowships from the Mellon Foundation, ACLS, AAUW, and UW-Madison.

Awards:

• Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellowship
• ACLS Fellowship
• AAUW Fellowship
• University of Wisconsin-Madison Fellowship

Her teaching focuses on Design Theory, Research Methods, and History. She actively bridges academia and public engagement through design advocacy and media analysis.