John Harris has agreed to serve as interim director of the newly established Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture and Design at the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture. The appointment was effective July 1, 2023.
The appointment was announced by Gibbs College Dean Hans E. Butzer. “Today is an important day in the history of this college and the new PLAD division,” Butzer said. “John identified years ago that this constellation of programs we now know as PLAD could accelerate enrollment growth and stability, while adding new energy to the teaching and research mission shared by its faculty. He is the ideal person to lead the division at this exciting time.”
Harris, who is an associate professor of Regional and City Planning, is an award-winning scholar in the field of informal urbanization in Sub Saharan Africa. He has published his research in top journals in the field, including World Development, Journal of Planning Education and Research and Gender, Place and Culture. Previously, he served as director of the Gibbs College Division of Regional and City Planning.
The new PLAD Division was created through the administrative consolidation of four separate Gibbs College divisions and programs: Environmental Design, Landscape Architecture, Regional and City Planning and Urban Design. By consolidating these smaller programs into one division, Gibbs College seeks to foster a stronger teaching, research, and service setting; facilitate more collaborations involving faculty and students; and maximize administrative and operational efficiencies.
Harris said, “All of us in the PLAD community are excited about the opportunities to grow the impact we have on Oklahoma, our professions, and the world.” He continued, “I look forward to the things we will be able to do together.”
Please join us in congratulating Harris.
Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture assistant professor Amy Leveno and Mark Leveno, co-founders of OFFICIAL Design, have received a 2026 AIA Central States Region Design Award for the firm’s Granger Annex Community Center project in Garland, Texas.
Construction Industry Speaker Series welcomed Stephen Evans from the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum to give a lecture on better conversations and relationship building.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact on Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Joseph Edgar Smay is part of the 2025 Hall of Fame class.
