The U.S. Department of Transportation has selected the University of Oklahoma (OU) led Southern Plains Transportation Center (SPTC) as the 2023-2027 USDOT Region 6 Regional University Transportation Center.
Under the umbrella of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), this center brings federal funding of $3 million per year to OU along with $3 million per year in matching funds. With a focus on improving durability and extending the life of infrastructure and safety, the SPTC will leverage the strengths of OU, and its partner institutions, in transportation engineering, materials, construction, climate, and weather to develop implementable solutions to create climate resilient infrastructure in Region 6. It will also catalyze transportation education and workforce development for the Region.
Dr. Tammy McCuen, Professor of Construction Science, is part of the OU multidisciplinary research team representing engineering, construction, and geography and environmental sustainability. She will play a key role in Workforce Development focused on people with disabilities and non-violent incarcerated people. She will also explore the use of building information modeling (BIM) for the location and documentation of existing utilities and assets on infrastructure projects.
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.
The Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Camille Germany, Chief of Staff, has been named the 2026 recipient of the university-wide Jennifer L. Wise Good Stewardship Award.
