Petya Stefanoff, a Ph.D. student in OU’s Planning, Design and Construction degree program, has been honored with the Annual Outstanding Plan Award by the Oklahoma Chapter of the American Planning Association, alongside her teammates. The plan features revitalization efforts in the Twin Lake area, aiming to activate the space with compact improvements that support multiple outdoor activities. The project is expected to boost the economic vitality and tourism, bringing the surroundings to a desired destination for residents and visitors. A standout aspect of the plan is its strong community engagement; the team actively applied the core principles of “inform, engage, empower,” hosting numerous public meetings and charettes that brought stakeholders together to collaboratively shape the vision.
Stefanoff and teammates accepting the Annual Outstanding Plan Award.
Stefanoff’s doctoral research explores how place attachment fosters cohesion in communities, and this project exemplifies how a built environment can unite and empower a community. Stefanoff’s doctoral adviser is Dr. Charlie Warnken.
The Outstanding Plan Award highlights the significance of her and her team’s project ability to advance the art and science of planning as a whole.
Stefanoff began her journey at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Geodesy in Bulgaria. Witnessing the fall of the Iron Curtain during her college years, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in engineering and later earned an additional bachelor’s in architecture and urban planning. After moving to the U.S., she graduated with a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Kansas. Working in the field of engineering and architecture for a number of years, she was given a task at one time to create a training program for employees. As part of this effort, Stefanoff enrolled at OU and graduated with a Master of Adult Education. Her dedication to building and sustaining strong communities inspired her to enter the doctoral program in Planning, Design, and Construction within the OU School of Architecture.
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.
