DLR Group Hires Three for Higher Education Practice

• By Matt Jones
• 09/17/26

Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that it has brought three new hires on board to help shape its higher education practice in California and the northeast, according to a press release. Mary Gallagher, IIDA, LEED AP; Susan Morgan, AIA, LEED AP BD+C; and Whitney Pearce, AIA, LEED AP bring a combined 55 years of experience to the firm as part of a push to broaden its higher education campus design work.

“Mary, Susan, and Whitney each bring their own unique experience to their respective roles at DLR Group while sharing a passion for fostering student success and supporting institutional goals through design excellence,” said Stu Rothenberger, AIA, LEED AP, Senior Principal and Global Higher Education Leader. “By bringing their expertise to these two important regions, the three will deliver campus environments that achieve just that, moving the needle for institutions to make a real impact on their communities.”

Mary Gallagher brings more than 25 years’ experience to her new role as Principal and Senior Interior Designer. She’s led and created interior design strategies in the academic, healthcare, research, and life sciences verticals, with a focus in technical learning and research environments. Previous work includes projects for Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Princeton University, Harvard University, and Penn State Health. She’s based in Boston, Mass.

"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," said Gallagher. "Investing in innovative Higher Ed design raises expectations everywhere and advances the standards for quality education across the board."

Susan Morgan will serve as the new Principal and Higher Education Leader. Her 20 years of design leadership experience includes renovations, adaptive reuse projects, and the new construction of campus environments.

“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,” said Morgan.

Finally, as the new Principal and Higher Education Client Leader, Whitney Pearce comes from a decade of collaborative leadership in complex projects. She’ll also help strengthen the firm’s partnership with public and private colleges and universities in California.

“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,” said Pearce. “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.”