Kolker is involved in the design and development of all capital projects, renovation and new facilities, building and landscape sustainability initiatives, space management and use, and project planning and programming. He works closely with senior academic and administrative leaders to ensure that, whether building new or preserving and restoring a historic building, all buildings serve the university’s mission of teaching, research or patient care.

Kolker provides strategic vision and direction for Facilities Planning & Management’s capital projects and campus planning staff of 17, which includes architects, engineers, planners, project managers and a records coordinator. He also closely collaborates with units responsible for off-campus real estate, security, sustainability, parking and transportation, and dining services.

A licensed architect, Kolker earned a bachelor of arts degree in architecture in 1984 from Columbia College and a master’s degree in architecture in 1986 from Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, where he serves on the alumni board. Before joining the university, Kolker served as principal of Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates, an architecture and planning firm in Philadelphia, where for more than 20 years, he worked closely with clients to manage the planning, design and project phases of academic, research, academic medical center and civic projects.