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.
Petya holds bachelor’s degrees in Civil Engineering and Architecture and Urban Planning, master’s degrees in Architecture and Adult Education, and is currently a doctoral candidate in the PDC program.
Ms. Stefanoff has over a decade of experience in state and local government, along with private-sector work at engineering and architectural firms across several states. Her background gives her a unique perspective on how policy, design, and community growth intersect, which are the very areas she will oversee in her new role.
As Director of Community Development, she will lead the city's planning, zoning, and development services departments while guiding long-term initiatives that support Shawnee's continued growth. Her appointment highlights how the PDC program prepares students to translate academic learning into real-world impact.
During the Spring 2026 semester, students in Interior Design Studio IV and Graduate Studio IV gained hands-on experience in educational facility design through a semester-long partnership with MA+ Architecture.
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture congratulates Dr. Tammy McCuen, Robert E. Busch Professor of Construction Science, on beginning her term as president of the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC), an international organization dedicated to advancing construction education through teaching, research and service.
Following years of contributions to the College’s research and strategic initiatives, Gibbs College shares that Associate Dean for Research and External Engagement Angela M. Person, PhD, will step down from her position at Gibbs College as she moves to Tucson with her family, effective June 30, 2026.
