Associate Professor of Interior Design Mia Kile received the Award for Excellence in Transdisciplinary, Convergent Research, which recognizes excellence in leadership in the creation of collaborative teams of recent faculty projects. Professor Kile and her team also received the Annual Award for Excellence in Research Grants, for acquiring over $1,000,000 in grants in 2022.
Mia Kile is one of the leaders of the Happy Teacher Wellness Intervention Team, which is a four-year research project being conducted by an interdisciplinary team of OU researchers. Funded by a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the team will take a holistic view of physical, psychological and professional well-being, as well as the impact of workplace conditions, for Head Start teachers in Oklahoma.
Elizabeth Pober, the Director of the Division of Interior Design, spoke about Mia Kile and her work: “Mia has dedicated numerous hours towards her research impacting local communities and educators. This award recognizes the significant contributions she has made and will continue to make in the future.”
Congratulations to Professor Kile for these well-deserved awards!
A team of Construction Science and Architecture students from the Gibbs College of Architecture made their mark on the national stage this week, earning third place out of 37 universities competing at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Student Competition, held during the International Builders' Show in Orlando, February 16-18, 2026.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has elevated Gary Armbruster, FAIA, ALEP to its prestigious College of Fellows—AIA’s highest membership honor—for his exceptional work and sustained contributions to architecture and society. Fellowship recognizes architects who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession and made a significant impact at a national level. Members elevated to this distinction carry the FAIA designation after their name.
Students from the Spring 2026 Graduate 4 Architecture Design Studio, led by Professor Amy Leveno, exhibited their work at the School of Visual Arts. The exhibition, titled Reimagining the OU School of Visual Arts, featured drawings, models, and animations developed throughout the semester's studio project. The show was hosted in The Spotlight, a creative gallery space located on the first floor of the Fred Jones Art Center, and ran from January 20–30, 2026.
