OU Planning Professor Chairs National Conference, Expands Program’s Reach

Charles Warnken, an associate professor in the University of Oklahoma’s Master of Regional and City Planning (MRCP) program, is leading a major national academic event in his role as the National Conference Committee Chair for the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP). Serving a term from 2024 through 2027, Warnken oversees one of the discipline’s most important gatherings—the annual ACSP conference—which most recently took place in Minneapolis from October 23–25, 2025.

The ACSP conference draws more than 1,200 planning scholars and students from across the globe. Warnken’s leadership highlights both his respected standing in the field and the growing national recognition of OU’s Regional and City Planning program. 

Professor Warnken’s journey with ACSP began over two decades ago as a PhD student. “I served as assistant to the president,” he recalled. “I was exposed to a lot of the leadership, and it certainly advanced my career. One of the reasons I think I am here today is because of my participation there.”

That early experience set the stage for a career devoted to integrating teaching, research, and practice. Since joining the OU faculty in 2001, Warnken has built a legacy of community-based scholarship—connecting students with real planning challenges in towns, cities, and tribal nations across Oklahoma. His projects have engaged more than 20 local governments and numerous state and federal partners to address issues ranging from housing and land use to climate change and environmental justice. 

When asked whether his appointment as Conference Chair came as a surprise, Warnken smiled. “It was a complete surprise,” he shared. “They said they wanted to keep me involved because I was ‘good to work with.’ It’s the primary activity of the association, and it’s been really rewarding.”

The role is a significant undertaking. Professor Warnken leads 30 faculty volunteers to organize the conference’s 15 academic tracks—from housing and environmental planning to urban design— and coordinates nearly 250 sessions, roundtables, and meetings over three days. 

He emphasizes the conference's critical importance. “It is the primary source for jobs in planning academia,” he explained. “It’s where PhD students find employment and where schools find the next generation of scholars. It’s also the main revenue source for the association, which allows us to support our members.”

Beyond the personal accomplishment, Professor Warnken is strategic about the benefits for OU. In the close-knit community of planning academia, visibility is currency. 

“We're a small planning program, a little bit off the radar nationally,” he said. “This is a way for us to advance the stature of the MRCP degree. If you talk to people around the country now, they know our faculty. It raises our program on the radar.”

This elevated profile is crucial for attracting top-tier students and faculty, ensuring the program remains competitive and continues to contribute meaningfully to the field of planning. 

For students considering engaging with ACSP, Professor Warnken offers straightforward advice: “Get out of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to talk to people and hang out with students from other schools. It’s an incredibly friendly world, and faculty there want to talk to students more than you might think.”

Through his dedicated service, Professor Warnken is not only shaping the national conversation on urban planning but also strategically positioning the University of Oklahoma as a key contributor to the future of the profession.