Planning May 2020
Planning Accreditation Board and APA Student Representatives Council Awards
Planning Accreditation Board Awards
2019 Outstanding Site Visitor Award
AWARDEE: Ana Maria C. Whitaker, Pomona, California
ABOUT: Ana Maria has served as a volunteer site visitor since 2001. She is a professor emerita in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where she has taught for 24 years. Prior to that, she served as principal planner for Pasadena, California, for 10 years. She has also served on various APA and AICP committees and task forces.
IMPACT: Ana Maria has conducted 10 site visits — six as team chair — and has contributed significant time and energy to leading site visitor teams' efforts during accreditation review. Her skills and knowledge of higher education, PAB, and the planning profession have helped improve planning programs nationally.
2019 Outstanding Site Visitor Award
AWARDEE: Robert F. Mitchell, FAICP, Boston
ABOUT: Robert has served as a site visitor since 2001. He has 40 years of experience as a practicing planner, a planning consultant, and an adjunct professor at the University of Massachusetts Department of Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning. He is also a former president of APA Massachusetts and a former AICP Commissioner.
IMPACT: He has contributed outstanding leadership and substantial knowledge of PAB and professional practice during 10 site visits and has been a significant asset to his team members, PAB, and all of the undergraduate and graduate planning programs he has reviewed.
APA Student Representatives Council Awards
Outstanding Student Project Award
AWARDEE: Cornell University, College of Art, Architecture and Planning, Ithaca, New York
PROJECT: Staying Afloat in 2100
Photo courtesy Robert Mitchell.
GOAL: Conduct vulnerability assessment and evaluate climate adaptation scenarios for coastal adaptation for Hull, Massachusetts, one of the densest coastal towns in New England.
IMPACT: Identified three possible scenarios and actions for the local government to take based on background research, vulnerability assessments, and conversations with local planners and administrators.
Outstanding Planning Student Organization Award
AWARDEE: Urban Planning Student Association, University of Texas at San Antonio
GOAL: Provide a supportive platform and space for planning students to explore new ideas in the planning of cities and regions, promote planning efforts and education, and strengthen connections among planning professionals.
IMPACT: University of Texas at San Antonio PSO offers professional development for student members, participates in community events, facilitates member-led initiatives throughout the city and university, and provides travel assistance for members to attend and participate in future APA chapter and national conferences. UPSA members also regularly volunteer and speak at area planning-related conferences.