Dr. Laura Harjo, associate professor of Native American Studies and an affiliate faculty member of Regional and City Planning, was recently elected as President of the Faculty Women’s Interest Group within the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP).
The ACSP Faculty Women’s Interest Group (FWIG) is an interest group within ACSP, a consortium of university-based programs offering degrees and credentials in Urban and Regional Planning. ACSP promotes planning education, research, service and outreach in North America and throughout the world.
FWIG works to encourage and support women faculty and graduate students in the planning academy and throughout their career. FWIG also welcomes those conducting research and outreach on planning issues critical to women. The group has a new focus on Intersectional Feminist/Anti-Racist/De-Colonial Planning and is working to encourage planners to include ending violence against all women and girls as an important part of their planning work.
Dr. Harjo’s interest and expertise in topics such as Indigenous planning and development, Indigenous feminisms, and community participatory methodologies will help her excel at this leadership role.
Congratulations to Dr. Harjo!
A team of Construction Science and Architecture students from the Gibbs College of Architecture made their mark on the national stage this week, earning third place out of 37 universities competing at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Student Competition, held during the International Builders' Show in Orlando, February 16-18, 2026.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has elevated Gary Armbruster, FAIA, ALEP to its prestigious College of Fellows—AIA’s highest membership honor—for his exceptional work and sustained contributions to architecture and society. Fellowship recognizes architects who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession and made a significant impact at a national level. Members elevated to this distinction carry the FAIA designation after their name.
Students from the Spring 2026 Graduate 4 Architecture Design Studio, led by Professor Amy Leveno, exhibited their work at the School of Visual Arts. The exhibition, titled Reimagining the OU School of Visual Arts, featured drawings, models, and animations developed throughout the semester's studio project. The show was hosted in The Spotlight, a creative gallery space located on the first floor of the Fred Jones Art Center, and ran from January 20–30, 2026.
