Regional + City Planning Assistant Professor C. Aujean Lee has published two articles with a team that investigated urban planning student climate and diversity issues.
The articles, published in Journal of Planning Education and Research and Planning Practice & Research, analyze and summarize the findings of a nationwide survey and interviews, focusing on recommendations for planning education and planning practice.
Below, you’ll find links to the full articles, as well as abstracts describing this research.
“Where are we going? Where have we been?: The Climate for Diversity within Urban Planning Educational Programs”
By Andrew Greenlee, April Jackson, Ivis Garcia, C. Aujean Lee, & Benjamin Chrisinger. Published in the Journal of Planning Education and Research (2018). Link to full text.
Abstract: This paper summarizes findings from a nationwide survey of degree-seeking urban planning students regarding the climate for diversity within their degree programs. This study examines interactions within the classroom, with faculty, with peers, and with professional planners. From May to October 2016, we surveyed 451 students and conducted in-depth interviews with 25 students. Our results show that while the majority of students report a positive climate for diversity within their programs, many still report occurrences of bias and discrimination, describe the shortcomings of a lack of planning faculty diversity, and perceive persistent challenges around diversity within planning practice.
The Gibbs College of Architecture celebrates fifth-year architecture student Haley Praytor, who has been recognized at the national level for her design work. In early March, Haley received a Graduate Division Award of Merit for her submission to the 2025 Metal Building Manufacturers Association student design competition.
The Gibbs Design in Action Awards (GDAA) program, led by Dr. Wanda Liebermann, has announced its 2026–2027 funded student projects. The initiative supports design and research work that addresses social, cultural, and economic issues in the built environment through collaboration with faculty and community partners.
The OU Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) 2024 collaboration with the Historic Threatt Filling Station has been recognized in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's newly released Byways Report: The Scenic Route to Rural Prosperity – a story-driven publication exploring how road trip culture and place-based tourism can fuel economic growth in rural communities.
