At a recent American Planning Association (APA) and Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) data session during the 2025 ACSP Administrator’s Conference, Oklahoma was recognized as a national leader in planning education and professional engagement.
As the APA representative presented slides showing trends in planning education and professional engagement, one point stood out. “We need to know what Oklahoma is doing,” they said. The data showed that Oklahoma has seen rapid growth in both APA and American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) membership—both per capita and per existing APA member—over the past few years.
This kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident. A major driver behind this trend is the work being done at the University of Oklahoma. Much of this success is due to the efforts of Dr. Charlie Warnken, who has been instrumental in mentoring and preparing students for professional certification and involvement. From guiding them through the AICP process to actively collaborating with the Oklahoma APA chapter, Dr. Warnken has created a culture of engagement and excellence.
One standout feature of OU’s program is its comprehensive exam process, designed to closely mirror the AICP exam. This innovative approach has not only helped students feel more prepared, but it’s also caught the attention of peer institutions. After the session, several department chairs from across the country approached OU to learn more about how our model could be adapted to their programs.
This national recognition is more than a proud moment—it’s a reminder of the leadership and innovation happening here at OU that trains excellent professionals and is impacting our state in important ways!
Featured image: Regional and City Planning students and faculty.
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.
