The U.S. Department of Transportation has selected the University of Oklahoma (OU) led Southern Plains Transportation Center (SPTC) as the 2023-2027 USDOT Region 6 Regional University Transportation Center.
Under the umbrella of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), this center brings federal funding of $3 million per year to OU along with $3 million per year in matching funds. With a focus on improving durability and extending the life of infrastructure and safety, the SPTC will leverage the strengths of OU, and its partner institutions, in transportation engineering, materials, construction, climate, and weather to develop implementable solutions to create climate resilient infrastructure in Region 6. It will also catalyze transportation education and workforce development for the Region.
Dr. Tammy McCuen, Professor of Construction Science, is part of the OU multidisciplinary research team representing engineering, construction, and geography and environmental sustainability. She will play a key role in Workforce Development focused on people with disabilities and non-violent incarcerated people. She will also explore the use of building information modeling (BIM) for the location and documentation of existing utilities and assets on infrastructure projects.
Petya Stefanoff, Chair of the Educational Committee with the American Planning Association, Oklahoma Chapter (APA-OK) and Gibbs College PhD candidate, has developed a new training program for local government officials. The program, focused on land use, zoning principles, and land development, recently certified its first graduates with Certified Citizen Planner status.
Gibbs Construction Science and Architecture students recently traveled to Dublin, Ireland, to compete in the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Region 8 Student Competition. The team partnered with Czech Technical University and secured third place in the Design-Build category.
Gibbs College is pleased to present the exhibition Vollendorf in Oklahoma: The Architecture of Dean Bryant Vollendorf during the Spring 2026 semester. It will be on display in Gould Hall, on the OU-Norman Campus, from February 16, 2026 - March 13, 2026.