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September 2, 2025
Colleagues,
In alignment with Yale Facilities’ goal to deliver sustainable projects through design and operational excellence that advance the university’s academic and research priorities, we are excited to welcome new team members and celebrate a promotion!
The Office of the University Architect (OUA) has coalesced to include four leaders in planning and design whose focus areas enhance our capabilities in architecture, campus planning, space management, sustainability, and landscape architecture. These roles report to James Kolker, University Architect.
Through this formation, we are better positioned to support stakeholders by providing enhanced planning and design leadership to guide campus development, while stewarding the university’s rich architectural and landscape history. We strive to improve the quality of life on campus through increased attention to the application of design standards and principles that align with advancing Yale’s sustainability goals.
Get to know the team
- Kristin Bentrem joins Yale as associate university architect for space management. In this role, Kristin focuses on stewarding physical resources on campus through effective space planning, data management, and cross-departmental collaboration.
- Kristina Chmelar was promoted to associate university architect. In this advanced role, Kristina manages and provides expertise in architecture design, campus planning, and preservation.
- Misha Semenov-Leiva (SemeLev) joins Yale as associate university architect for sustainability. In this role, Misha focuses on integrating the university’s sustainability goals across projects in close collaboration with the Office of Sustainability and other campus partners.
- Linda Walczak joins Yale as university landscape architect. In this role, Linda manages and provides leadership in landscape architecture, the planning and design of outdoor space, and by ensuring that ongoing maintenance and sustainability are integrated into all projects.
How to work with the OUA
Serving as the principal steward of Yale’s physical environment, the Office of the University Architect leads campus planning, ensures design excellence, and supports strategic development to unify and enhance Yale’s architectural legacy. Their collaboration provides expertise to project teams and the campus community, offering guidance in their areas of focus.
The OUA plays a critical role in ensuring that Yale’s campuses are developed with coherence, purpose, and lasting value. To achieve this, these key roles leverage years of industry and Yale experience to achieve excellence as we deliver the volume and complexity of projects for which we are responsible.
The OUA collaborates cross-departmentally with Capital Program Development and Delivery, Campus Stewardship, Engineering and Energy Management, Facilities Operations, and the Office of Sustainability, among other operational and academic units, to provide vision and support integrated, end-to-end capital project design and delivery.
Please join us in congratulating Kristin, Kristina, Misha, and Linda, wishing them success in their new roles.
The OUA plays a critical role in ensuring that Yale’s campuses are developed with coherence, purpose, and lasting value. To achieve this, these key roles leverage years of industry and Yale experience to achieve excellence as we deliver the volume and complexity of projects for which we are responsible.
The OUA collaborates cross-departmentally with Capital Program Development and Delivery, Campus Stewardship, Engineering and Energy Management, Facilities Operations, and the Office of Sustainability, among other operational and academic units, to provide vision and support integrated, end-to-end capital project design and delivery.
Please join us in congratulating Kristin, Kristina, Misha, and Linda, wishing them success in their new roles.
One team, forward, together.
J. Mike Bellamy, PE, MBA
Vice President for Facilities, Campus Development, and Sustainability
James Kolker, FAIA
University Architect
Yale University
Top image: Courtesy of Kristin Bentrem, Kristina Chmelar, Misha SemeLev, Linda Walczak (from left to right)