Gibbs College, in partnership with its OU Institute for Quality Communities, is announcing a leadership transition.
Shane Hampton has stepped down from the role of executive director of the Institute for Quality Communities, effective Aug. 25. Hampton served as IQC director since 2015 and has worked for IQC in other capacities since 2011. During his tenure there, Hampton partnered with IQC staff and Gibbs College team members to deliver technical assistance to more than 70 rural and urban communities across Oklahoma, produce programs like the Placemaking Conference and provide inspired instruction in support of Gibbs College’s Bachelor of Environmental Design program.
Hans E. Butzer, dean of Gibbs College, said, “Shane has played important roles in the IQC since 2011, helping shape the incredibly impactful Institute that we know today and that is respected nationwide as an urban design authority and community engagement leader.” He continued, “We wish Shane all the best and affirm our deepest appreciation for his contributions that have undoubtedly improved the lives of Oklahomans across our state.”
Hampton has accepted a new role at Main Street America as senior manager, Thriving Communities. MSA is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the leader of a movement dedicated to strengthening downtowns and commercial districts since its founding in 1980. Hampton will manage MSA’s implementation of the US Department of Transportation’s Thriving Communities Program. Over the next two years, the initiative will provide tailored technical assistance to 20 rural and indigenous communities across the country, to help them better access funding for infrastructure projects.
The IQC team, including Vanessa Morrison, IQC Associate Director; Ron Frantz, IQC Director of Small Town Studios; and Rebecca Blaine, doctoral research fellow, will continue to lead programs and projects in the 2023 – 2024 academic year.
Gibbs College leadership is working proactively alongside IQC staff to finalize a timeline and process to identify a permanent replacement for the Executive Director position within IQC.
Gibbs College is grateful to Shane Hampton for his years of service to OU and dozens of Oklahoma communities. Please join us as we celebrate Hampton’s contributions to IQC and the start of his next adventure. A come-and-go event will take place in Gould Hall room 130 (Buskuhl Gallery), on Friday, August 25, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Please contact Vanessa Morrison (vanessa@ou.edu) with event questions or to request accommodations.
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.
