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.
Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture assistant professor Amy Leveno and Mark Leveno, co-founders of OFFICIAL Design, have received a 2026 AIA Central States Region Design Award for the firm’s Granger Annex Community Center project in Garland, Texas.
Construction Industry Speaker Series welcomed Stephen Evans from the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum to give a lecture on better conversations and relationship building.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact on Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Joseph Edgar Smay is part of the 2025 Hall of Fame class.
