Donovan is an architectural designer and educator whose work is grounded in a lifelong curiosity about the built environment. Growing up in Houston, Texas, he was drawn to the spaces around him from an early age, which led him to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Architecture at the University of Texas at San Antonio. While studying there, he began mentoring young designers through summer programs for high school students, discovering a passion for teaching and for helping others find their voice in design.
During his undergraduate years, Donovan also became active in the American Institute of Architects (AIA), serving on committees within both AIA San Antonio and the Texas Society of Architects. This early engagement with the profession deepened his commitment to architecture as both a discipline and a community.
Donovan continued his academic journey at the University of Oklahoma, earning a Master of Architecture from the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture. As a graduate student, his studio work was featured in the AIA National Emerging Professionals Exhibit. He served as a Graduate Student Senator, participated in Division of Architecture committees, and taught first-year design studio as both a Graduate Teaching Assistant and Instructor of Record. His contributions were recognized with the OU Provost’s Graduate Assistant Award for Humanities and Fine Arts in 2021–2022.
While teaching, Donovan developed a focused interest in beginning design pedagogy, particularly how hands-on making in early design education shapes students’ understanding of materiality and design thinking.
He remains deeply involved with the AIA at both local and national levels. Donovan served for over five years on the AIA Central Oklahoma Chapter Board of Directors as Associates Director and was honored with the chapter’s Robert M. Lawrence Volunteer Award in 2024. He currently represents Oklahoma on the AIA National Associates Committee as State Associates Representative.
Outside of academia, Donovan has contributed to professional practice across Oklahoma, working on design teams for a wide range of project types and scales. His portfolio includes master planning for communities, infrastructure projects for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, higher education facilities at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, and civic work for the City of Oklahoma City.
