Many Ways to Practice: Guiding Growth and Change on University Campuses

LAF hosts live webinars in which guest presenters share innovative work and discuss timely issues. The recorded webinars are archived on LAF's website, and many can be viewed on demand to earn continuing education credits through LA CES. LAF is able to make these resources freely available thanks to the financial support of individuals like you. If you find this webinar valuable, please consider making a donation to help us cover hosting and administrative costs. To learn about upcoming webinars, subscribe to LAF communications.

Recording from live webinar on 4/26/23

There are nearly 4,000 institutions of higher learning in the U.S., most with at least one physical campus. While the grounds of these colleges and universities range greatly in size and character, each has facilities planning and management staff to support day-to-day operations, oversee renovations and capital improvements, and plan for growth and change. As designers versed in both environmental and cultural systems, landscape architects are particularly well-suited for these roles.

Through the design and management of their physical space as well as their educational and research activities, institutes of higher education have tremendous potential to set new precedents for sustainability, community, and climate action while serving as testing grounds for new ideas. Campus landscape architects and planners are helping their institutions lead the way in addressing prevailing challenges like climate change, biodiversity, and equity and access.

In this panel discussion, three trained landscape architects share their experiences in shaping the campuses of Indiana University, Arizona State University, and Stanford University while offering insights on how to pursue a career as a campus landscape architect. (Yes, free/reduced tuition is often a perk!)

Sponsor

Learning Objectives

Understand the opportunity for landscape architects and landscape architecture at institutions of higher learning
Understand current trends in university campus landscapes
Explore the career path of three campus landscape architects

Continuing Education Credits

This course is approved for 1.0 Professional Development Hour (PDH) through the Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System (LA CES) and meets the health, safety and welfare requirements (HSW). To earn 1.0 PDH (LA CES/HSW):

View the full webinar above.
Complete the short quiz by following the link below. (You must score 75% or higher.)
Wait ~2 weeks to receive your confirmation email once the quizzes are graded and results submitted to LA CES.

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Panelists

Melissa Bagga
Landscape Architect, Indiana University
Melissa has been a landscape architect for Indiana University since 2018, where her practice and initiatives focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the built environment. In her research and design practice, Melissa investigates methods to address environmental and cultural issues at the community scale through engagement with the IU community, City of Bloomington, and the state of Indiana.

Byron Sampson
Associate Director/University Landscape Architect, Arizona State University
During Byron’s time at at Arizona State University he has worked on a range of projects, including accessibility plans and recommendations, the University Master Plan update, and COVID response for all the campuses in the University system. He graduated from Texas Tech and has worked in large and small firms and Houston and land development in Arizona.

Krista Van Hove
Campus Planner, Stanford University
Krista has experience engaging with the Stanford campus community and partnering with allied professionals to ensure the university adapts to modern, sustainable practices through the natural and built environment. Krista holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and has held leadership roles such as President for the Northern California Chapter of ASLA and Co-Chair for the Campus Planning & Design PPN.

Lauren Leighty (Moderator)
Principal and Campus Studio Leader, SmithGroup
Lauren is a trusted partner to many respected higher education institutions across the country, helping them plan for their futures and address the multi-layered challenges they are facing. She received her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Master of Urban Design from the University of Michigan. She is a member of SmithGroup’s Board of Directors and the University of Michigan’s Taubman College Alumni Council, as well as the LAF Board of Directors.

This webinar is part of a ongoing series that highlights the many ways in which landscape architects can practice and participate in fulfilling and impactful work. In addition to private practice, landscape architects frequently work for parks and gardens, non-profit and community-based organizations, landscape product suppliers, government agencies from local to federal, and more.