Outstanding OU Urban Design alumni recently gathered at the 2023 State Planning Conference, sponsored by the Oklahoma Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). The APA is a non-profit educational organization that strives to enhance the planning profession and help communities adapt to the rapidly changing environment.
This year’s theme was “Plan It Forward: Planning for a more resilient and diverse future.” The two-day conference consisted of sessions with keynote speakers, mobile tours, and exhibitions. During the event, attendees had the opportunity to network, learn about current industry trends, and expand their professional skillsets.
The attending OU Alumni included Erik Enyart, Director of Planning at Tanner Consulting, Brent Isaacs, Housing Planner and Grantwriter at the Mental Health Association of Oklahoma, Jessi Stringer, City Planner for the City of Collinsville, Amanda Yamaguchi, Planning Manager for the City of Broken Arrow, and Larry Curtis, Community Development Director for the City of Bartlesville.
This was the first chapter conference in several years, and it took place in Enid, Oklahoma from March 5-7. Learn more about this year’s conference and the APA.
Feature Image: Left to Right: Erik Enyart, Brent Isaacs, Jessi Stringer, Amanda Yamaguchi, and Larry Curtis.
Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to recognize Petya Stefanoff, who is pursuing her doctorate in the Planning, Design & Construction (PDC) program, has been appointed the new role of Director of Community Development for the City of Shawnee, Oklahoma. She joined the city in 2024.
Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Amber N. Wiley, Ph.D., associate professor in the Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture and Design and director of the Institute for Quality Communities, has received national recognition for her book Model Schools in the Model City. The book has been named a finalist for the 2026 the PROSE Awards.
Gibbs College of Architecture Regional + City Planning Professor of Practice Vanessa Morrison and Associate Professor of Architecture Deborah Richards’ Open Design Collective received top honors at the inaugural BlackSpace Urbanist Collective Studio KIN Pitch Night Competition, held last month in Brooklyn, New York City.
